The New Nation - Internet Edition

Muhammad Quamrul Islam

From political experiences we cannot but agree with facts expressed by Chief Election Commissioner [CEC] Dr ATM Shamsul Huda on November 27, 2007 towards the end of scheduled dialogues with parties, it is not fair shout for democracy, when they themselves do not practice it within party forum. Many of the political parties, including Bangladesh Nationalist Party [BNP], which lack in practice of democracy within, cannot register with the Election Commission [EC] unless parties amend existing party constitutions. He said at dialogue with Workers Party of Bangladesh on electoral reform at EC, reports national dailies and satellite Dhaka TV channels. It is nice that Rashed Khan Menon, president of Workers party, also thought so and expressed the same. At the dialogue, all parties as scheduled turned up except BNP immediate past ruling party due to court order of stay secured under the name of its detained chief and ex-P.M. Khaleda Zia.

I hope Menon will pursue it in his 14-party alliance led by Awami League [AL] impress them amend party constitutions as the case may be. Haider Akber Khan Rono was also in the Workers Party delegation at EC. Both were junior to us at Dhaka University based on which hope rests, as in those days senior-junior student relationship was mutually cordial, which post 1971 generation cannot even imagine, for no fault of theirs, but politicisations of teachers and students made it so. It would not be an easy exercise but it is to be done to exert to the furthest extent. They know who're in left democratic front plus three make an 11 party combine. What is their popular base, combined and individually; including Gano Forum led by Dr Kamal Hossain who rose to eminence as minister of AL/ BKSAL before leaving AL to form Gano Forum in 1993 after collapse of Soviet Union. It is on record Dr Kamal Hossain brought Sheikh Hasina to the position of AL president in 1981 that she is still holding. It is also necessary to exclude sign board/ press release only parties, what're mostly 'tadbir parties' raise local subscriptions, get invitations or tours abroad utilise left links for no good of the country but personal, insiders say. Side by side other two affluent parties in 14- party combine led by AL chief, which is so far absent in media reports, say specifically in national vernacular daily Prothom Alo, are Communist Party of Bangladesh [CPB] and its subsidiary NAP [Mozaffar], which are the beneficiaries of erstwhile Soviet Union; have left over funds, buildings, and local sources of subscription, knowledgeable quarters say. But do little for people; parrot theories, keep some workers in hand justify respective existence from time to time. Those two do not in any way practice democracy within, sat at dialogues with EC, and cannot be ignored. We would like Prothom Alo to report on them, like the one published on November29 covers BNP, AL, Jatiya Party, and December1 Jamaat-e- Islami. We do agree with these reports, expect early steps towards democratising respective party. But would they, overcome the direct beneficiaries as well as indirect who are pulling from behind maintain status quo to perpetuate vested interests like before one eleven change over? It is last time that all print and electronic media and civil societies show sincerity to bravely put pressure for reforms within each party qualify for registration instead of confusing matters for vested quarters! Caretaker Government [CG] leading in right directions enjoy popular support, be noted. While on it I received a telephone call from the general secretary of a party, which sat in dialogue with EC, who said they do not get coverage of their activities in media including relief distributions that hurt his party's rank and file. His party president is away from the country. In course of discussion, septuagenarian recalled sad experience how communists have polluted politics either directly toeing a major party or deputising comrades disguise in big parties in the name of ideological strategy for decades. It produced no good results, turned a ploy for their personal aggrandisements, and sufferings to the multitude. It is an open secret that president and general secretary of CPB are in family bonds as cousin and brother-in-law, but they are in helm of affairs for years. A Dhaka University teacher is its presidium member, then how much sincere they would be to de link teachers and students from parties. When we are rightly vocal against ' one person show in politics' surrounded by family relations and flatterers in big parties, arbitrary powers of Party Chairperson, we cannot condone CPB, camouflage as a small party at times act different from the 14-party alliance. True, editor Motiur Rahman, Prothom Alo, was with them, till collapse of Soviet Union that does not mean his national daily would shut eyes to them, and spare no pain to raise controversy on invitation by EC to acting secretary general BNP Hafizuddin Ahmed by its columnists too.

That is not fair and confusions already arisen if it is actually against reforms though at times behave differently, he requested Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia to retire in a first page commentary! If he thinks that is the dialectic materialism to bring his CPB to power, then it is fallacious thinking that could inflict grievous injury on the masses only! EC has decided not to appeal against the order of stay on the dialogue with BNP, but application will be submitted to the Court to dispose off the matter before four weeks, as reported. It is necessary to complete scheduled dialogues within the due time. EC decided invite one part of BNP that was deemed proper to them. Now that matter has gone to the Court, EC will act according to the decision of Court. Meanwhile honest political persons having passion and commitment expressed surprise at negative reactions, of Khaleda Zia appointed BNP secretary general Khandkar Delwar Hossain at the last moment, to the views of CEC on democratising political parties. How come he said CEC could not make such remarks on constitution of the political parties. It is perfectly within jurisdiction of CEC asked amending constitution of political parties to get registration. His doubt about neutrality and impartial election under CEC are baseless and unfounded in a bid to suppress their failures in tackling opposition constructively and politicising past EC for holding stalled January22 national election. On the other hand the acting secretary general of BNP Major [retd] Hafizuddin Ahmed rightly said their party would apply for registration after bringing necessary reforms in the constitution. Actually former secretary general Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan already floated a draft reform proposal, which awaits finalisation. He deserves thanks.

It is now the turn of political trio Razzaq-Tofael-Suranjit, and Amir Hussain Amu show their guts in bringing reforms in line with the proposals already launched by them. If they retreat, or adopt dilatory policy, on a plea that could not be done keeping Hasina in prison like BNP's Delwar has said, it would not be accepted by the political elements in AL and the people. Surely they are aware small or tiny 13 parties in AL alliance will mostly try to oppose AL party reforms in various ways in their interests, as it is easier to bargain seat/s with Sheikh Hasina. Take for example NAP [Mozaffar], which has a life president and so paid workers and leaders now, always 'B' team for decades, has no politics in reality, but personal aggrandizements. He claims pure communist but uses popular name of National Awami Party [NAP] founded by Maulana Bhashani to woo Muslims who would not join CPB. Is it ethical or befitting a communist? Let him leave this faction join CPB, as NAP means Bhashani, not affix name in the bracket that is treaded by others too. Would he be allowed to do so who are now surrounding him, waiting to take the position of president after his death, so much cruel they're? EC may look into it as to what makes him remain president for decades. It pains me see approaching nonagenarian Prof Muzaffar Ahmed is in such grip, how many brilliant lives were lost under his party that splinted in mid 1980s and then 1993 to Gano Forum led by Dr. Kamal Hossain.

Similarly Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh founded by Prof B. Chowdhury, which merged in Liberal Democratic Party led by Col [retd.] Oli Ahmed joined in mega alliance led by AL for stalled January 22 elections. Bikalpa Dhara was of late revived, held dialogue with EC. Earlier Prof B. Chowdhury made political innovations along with Dr. Kamal Hossain and included Bangladesh Tarikat Federation etc. but to no effect. They don't practice any sort of inner party democracy; one indulged in nomination business while in LDP and his son Mahi B.Chowdhury is heir- apparent, it is alleged.

Earlier, an honest octogenarian party leader, who couldn't rise up, so could not provide scopes to talented political persons in a party, was from Bhashani founded NAP in 1957, told me small parties always look for leader in a big party, with whom they bargain for a seat/s. Those have no real political agenda, for which they're always small. It is brought to notice of EC for weeding out small parties, including religion-based parties, which are affluent on local donations, utilising religious sentiments of innocent people and bargain with a big party share power in exchange of vote banks under their control.

What is worrying us there is little self-introspection among leaders of political parties, big or small, rectify them revert to the course of traditional politics we had till 1971 and respond to the call of CEC. EC may think twice before sitting together with all parties. It may happen some may raise issue of war criminal and refuse to sit with Jamaat though it was untouched rather accommodated in their past politics and government. It should not be misunderstood we do not want trial of war criminal; as a matter of fact we insisted on it in early 1990s, but no govt. paid heed to it. So we are inclined to say making it an issue now is to divert the attention of voters from electoral reforms, which EC is pursuing hold credible elections by the end of 2008. The anti- reformists would be on look out sabotage the electoral process of electing competent candidates, against which EC should be more cautious now, especially completing voter listing and ID Card and de linking teachers and students from parties at an early date. Thereafter second round of dialogues with parties if necessary may be taken up. We once again request mainstream parties respond to call of CEC, so shun small parties that are essentially in 'share politics' alliance. We wish to see reformed BNP, AL and JP to set up competent candidates contest elections, local and national. In this process, each party is to bring to its fold competent persons fill different forums from national to other levels. Sincere persons spread in small parties should join anyone of aforesaid parties and so for Bhashani followers; it is a bounden duty for carrying forward activities of CG, and EC in the coming year in the interest of the country. A learned friend enquired if, Counsel of Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia, Barrister Rafiqul Haq has requested them declare that Party Chairperson cannot be Prime Minister and vice versa, which he said in media? I am not aware it is up to him. If party chairpersons extend co-operations, reforms tasks would be easy, which as a fellow sexagenarian earnestly requests.

(The writer is Advocate, Supreme Court of Bangladesh.)