The New Nation - Internet Edition

Md. Monirul Islam

Since its inception to present, Bangladesh more briskly faces its challenges to take necessary plans or steps for its greater development concerning political, economic, societal and over all cultural panorama. Protagonists of various ages stride out composing state ingredients into mounting figure. They dreamt such a thing never be pursued either their lacking of articulating objects or of enthusiasm in the mechanization of seeking interest of definite fields of orientation.

So, the conditions as claustrophobia has remained persist in Bangladeshi affair and it didn't come at the sight as an ancillary outline for country's convenient. Some analysts ascribe it the leadership crisis where leaders, in most cases, seek their individual interests through smashing their core value of leadership. Aristotle's experience of elucidation is more okay in figuring out the trends of our leaders from the birth to present of Bangladesh as an independent country in the world. He said, 'The sense of the value of "ruling and being ruled in turn" is derived from the experience that the ruler may use his power to subordinate the lives of the citizens of the state not to the common good but to his own private purposes.'

In this journey of state-leadership, they constituted the constitution of country and they were confronted with grave dilemmas in laying down the ideology-secularism, liberalism and so on so. Those dilemmas were not sited overtly but covertly and further configuration of the change in the constitution came through its various amendments. The introducing of Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Rahim in the preamble to the constitution, believe in the sovereignty of Allah, Islam's precedence as state- religion etc.

Since the end of drafting constitution of the country, the reactionary approach in the tenure of various governments in terms of rectifying constitution were located with the process of another amendment. Fourth amendment of the constitution added one party system and presidential form of government in the provision of our constitution and this amendment of constitution was amended again with introducing the twelve amendment of the constitution where it set up multi-party system and parliamentary form of government.

It is the historical trends of our leaders that they were not only limited to amend the constitution but to amend the amendment of the constitution and it has been located in above mentioned proof. This reactionary approach in the constitutional history of Bangladesh vehemently shows the positive development of the state. Even the autocratic ruler in the history of Bangladesh made his good image in taking Islam, the state-religion through introducing the eighth amendment of the constitution; that's an exceptional case.

The process of rectifying constitution is the common history of developing and developed countries in the world. But the absolute amendment of the amendment of constitution is rarely located in world scenario but this process of amending the amendment of constitution occurs in its smootish shape in developed countries. Politics of developed states is reactionary but flexible. For instance, when President Bush decided to invade Iraq in 2003, a bill was taken in the parliament for discussion. The opponents were reactionary but flexible in a way that, even several parliamentarians of conservative party (opposition to Bush) exposed themselves in their speech, if the process of the restoration of democratic standard and security of mankind from nuclear weapons belongs to Iraq functions in the world, this invasion might be espoused and if the preservation of country's (U.S) interest is kept up.

The tendencies of the counter act only for countering, but not for constructiveness has been the routine work of our all existing political parties and their leaders. When the Awami League government signed the treaty with the tribal people on December 2, 1997, we observed a great protest of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) against AL government. BNP opposed this treaty with tribe, most likely, in fear of demanding of 'separate tribal state in Chittagong Hill Tract' by the tribal people for the prospect although this treaty, in a sense, has declined the conflict fiercely occurred between the army and tribe rebellions in CHT.

Thus, we watched this conflicting gauge among all the existing parties in Bangladesh. All showed their arrogance in commanding country likewise absolutism. But this absolutism never suits with that of democratic standard and it always resides against people's interest. Aristotle always holds that 'absolute government is not properly political, that government is not like the rule of a shepherd over his sheep, but the rule of equals over equals. He admits that the democrats are right in insisting that equality is a necessary element in the state, though he thinks they do not admit the importance of other equally necessary elements.'

So, all political governments in Bangladesh foiled to practice the democratic norms and values in serving mass people but moneyed people (equals over equals). The vehement corruptions by the bigwigs in the country is the outcome of practicing the mean-'equals over equals' which always erects gigantic base of big classes but generates discrimination between upper classes and lower classes (general masses) in any affair. Equity or equality is to be stressed on doling out the rights and dues for general masses.

In the context of upcoming election of 2008, a symphony of forming national government is being paid its attention to the scholar fields. Some scholars espouse and others oppose in framing this national government. Those who are opposing this national government, I would like to symphonize my wise-crack with them and the opposite scholars are opposing but not mentioning substitute of it. So, I want to suggest, as a solution, constituting a Co-parliamentary body instead of National Government.

If the national government is formed, the one of the most democratic practice-'election' might lose its adaptability that will cause absence of popular participation in policy making procedure as a consequence. Since popular participation is the focal memo in practicing democratic standard, so the absence of people in drafting National Government is intolerable. It's a scholarly argument that 'in modern terms, it is a simple, rough-and-ready attempt to solve that constant problem of politics, how efficient government is to be combined with popular control.' So, popular participation is mandatory.

The co-parliamentary body, to me, might be consisted of the combination of civil society workers, veteran party leaders, businessmen, retired civil servants, retired army personnel, religious leaders. After the national election, the government would be formed as the process in Bangladeshi affair is continued. Then, the honorable President of People's Republic of Bangladesh will call a meeting with the participation of all the members of Parliament. In this meeting, the Co-parliamentary body would be formed with the proposal given by these members of parliament. The members of Co-parliamentary body would be not more than ten likewise the present caretaker government.

After ending the meeting, the president will declare the name of ten members based on the proposals given by members of parliament. President will promulgate the body with the keen the consideration or combination. Actually, president of country will also be the chairman/president of this co-parliamentary body. This body might also be called as 'shadow ministry'. All types of meeting/functions would be held/ accomplished under the presidency of the president of People's Republic of Bangladesh.

The functions of Co-parliamentary body/shadow ministry are to discuss about the facts which would be passed in the parliamentary session by the members of parliaments in the parliament. With the fruitful discussion of Co-parliamentary body, the members of this body under the presidency of the President of People's Republic of Bangladesh shall find out one or two options of a bill prior to the discussion of members of parliament in the parliament. On the basis of these (one or two) options, it would be taken to discuss by members of parliaments and after ending the discussion, fruitful one of them would be selected as a bill and lastly it would be passed in the parliament.

The pioneer of 'Ideal State', Greek philosopher Plato, in forming his Ideal State, 'Plato gave those who have complete knowledge of the good must be few, and therefore Plato gave entire power in his state into the hands of the small minority of philosopher guardians'. If the concept of Co-parliamentary body/Shadow Ministry is implicated in Bangladeshi aspect, his notion of ideal state by small majority of philosopher guardians is to be considered.

Why it is necessary, Plato answered it- 'the principle of "tools to those who can use them" ought to lead him, as it does Aristotle'. Our political leaders in the history of Bangladesh failed to utilize their tools in accordance with the needs of country. Using these state apparatus with charismatic or skillful approach, this co-parliamentary body is mandatory for Bangladesh.

If this process of drafting co-parliamentary body is continued in Bangladeshi arena, the tension or fear of the advisors of present Caretaker Government of falling into trap by the next political government will become paler and some scholars' demand of the Presidential form of Government would be fulfilled diminutively because of having the Chairmanship of the President of People's Republic of Bangladesh in the shadow ministry. And President's position as nominal/titular head in the parliamentary form of Government in Bangladesh would be reduced in a sense.

Earlier (since the birth of Bangladesh) amendment of our constitution didn't bestow the nation an atmosphere of peace but snatched the freedom of expression of men although it is said that situational needs urged the state authority to adopt that rectification of the constitution. Now, it has the possibility to amend the constitution by the next elected government for the expression of their reactionary mind-set. Co-parliamentary shall be well-enough also of what is to be done in this context. 'Violating constitution that happened and amendment of constitution again and again' never grant the bright prospect of any country. So, it is to be taken in mind of well-wishers of country.

Last of all, I would like to conclude my attempt to let the authority of Bangladesh to realize that election is the principal tool in regarding democratic norms and values. If the National government is formed, the principle tool of democratic process (election) will lose its validity in Bangladesh and to this extent, it would not be recognized not only by our people but by foreigners also. Then, the state will fall into another emergency.

A divine guidance that was highly equipped with that of the annunciation of Greek philosopher Plato that 'Virtue is Knowledge and Knowledge is Virtue'. One links others. Now it is very necessary in Bangladeshi politics to combine the two ingredients-'virtue and knowledge' to keep the democratic or peaceful atmospheres continue in the Bangladesh. This Co-parliamentary Body or Shadow Ministry may play role in achieving the prescribed goal for the bright future of Bangladesh.