The New Nation - Internet Edition

Shamsuddin Ahmed

Has the caretaker government deviated from its initial policy? "No," was the firm reply of an adviser close to the policy makers. Despite rhetoric by political leaders often raising demands and rekindling hopes among their followers of returning to the hey days of their party rule the government is diligently pursuing its policy to bring about electoral reforms, weeding out corrupt elements from politics before holding the general election promised by the end the year. In the process some of the former ministers and MPs have already been convicted by the court for corruption. More are in the line.

No wonder that the situation has brought arch political rivals Awami League and BNP closer to seek release of their leaders now detained in jail. While demanding release of Khaleda Zia, BNP (loyalist) secretary general Khandkar Delwar is vocal in seeking release of Sheikh Hasina, ostensibly to placate Awami League in whipping up movement he is threatening to launch against the government. Some leaders of both the parties are trying to make the people believe that Khaleda and Hasina are sine quo non for the nation and that no election without them will be meaningful. It is interesting that Dr Kamal Hossain ridiculed the claim: "Those demanding release of suspected corrupts should be treated alike." One may say that he carried the brief of the administration. If so it was intended to make the message clear that the two ladies were detained for no mere fun.

My colleague, also a political commentator, returns to office late at night quite excited for the last few weeks. He has postponed a private dinner saying something big development is in the offing. But nothing happened so far. Yes, some exciting development is possible but unlikely.

It is possible only in case any external power displeased with the present caretaker government or forces inimical to Bangladesh poured money in billions in cash and kind to destabilise the situation. Political leaders are unlikely to venture for creating unrest because of the heavy risk of their own future.

It is worth recalling the April 2, 2007 statement of Gen Moeen, the chief of the army, the force behind the caretaker government that came to power in the wake of serious political turmoil. All those present at the function took his keynote paper read at regional conference of International Political Science Association as the policy guideline of the present government. He said, "….the current transition period allow us an opportunity to develop a new concept and find a new sense of direction to the future politics of Bangladesh….we have to read the resolute character of Bangladeshi people that enabled us to overcome the perpetuation of dynastic rule (emphasis is mine) for a transparent and accountable Bangladesh."

BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia inherited politics from her assassinated husband Ziaur Rahman and Sheikh Hasina from her slain father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

They have formed dynastic politics and ruled the country for the last 15 years, nearly half of the period of our independence. BNP was sanguine to win the October 22, 2006 election and it was widely believed that Khaleda Zia would become the President and her son Tarique Rahman the Prime Minister.

The detention of Hasina and Khaleda after the 1/11 changeover and holding trial on corruption charges has given the people to believe that it was in pursuance of the policy of ending dynastic rule, popularly known as 'minus two politics'.

The politics and politicians of Bangladesh have been well articulated sarcastically in two front page editorials of Bangladesh Today. On July 2, 2006 it said, "in Bangladesh politics is power trading --- politics is money-making - politics is the only lucrative industry that does not require any investment of capital … Mostly coming from impoverished and unenlightened background, they cling on to the providential benefaction at any cost." Again on October 4, 2006 it said, "the two ladies of the two major political parties (BNP, BAL) are like two hot heroines … dominating the centre stage of politics since the past 15 years. The nation has failed to free itself from the full suffering of their histrionic talents." None of the remarks was refuted or contradicted by the politicians or the political parties.

Probably this had encouraged Gen Moeen to say, "We should take remedial action by seeking a qualitative reformation within the (political) party system … this opportunity is almost a 'now or never' case …to reshape our own destiny and leave a way for our future generation to take charge."

Sheikh Hasina has reportedly instructed her party to take advantage of rift in BNP, prepare for election and take part in the polls even without her. Sources close to former BNP secretary general Abdul Mannan Bhuiya say unity in the party is unlikely because of personal ego of Khaleda Zia.

Bhuiyan who is guiding the reformist group from behind the scene is hopeful of mobilizing clean rank and file of the party to his side. He knows the game from his long experience as secretary general of BNP. He counsels the associates to wait and see till the verdict of corruption cases against Khaleda Zia and her sons and the announcement of election schedule.

One thing is certain that politics of the country may not be the same in future as the Young Turks of BNP or Logi-Baitha of Awami League had been dominating the corridors of power.