The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Dr Kamal Hossain, a staunch advocate for the post-1/11 reforms, clobbered the caretaker government and the election commission for softening their position on fair polls and bargaining with some political parties for bending the newly framed electoral rules.

"How one can go for bargain holding constitutional post? Is there any room for bargain in the application of laws?" The Gano Forum president posed the questions during an interview with UNB at his Bailey Road residence, in the wake of continuing dilemmas over the belated general election, now set for December 18.

Dr Kamal, a leading jurist and framer of the country's constitution, vented both disappointments and annoyance mainly over what he said wholesale bail of those arrested on corruption charges, relaxation of election rules and regulations and party-registration provisions, and non-application of laws in a proper manner.

"The caretaker government and the election commission must not be defeated, they must succeed," the veteran jurist-politician said, yet on a note of optimism about a promised restart in national politics with a clean sheet following the painstaking purge in the interim period.

He noted that the interim regime has got support for last 20 months, "but now they seem desperate to give up. It looks as a stage-managed performance in the name of election, which will not be acceptable." Dr Kamal said they have always welcomed the Election Commission for its reorganization, separating its secretariat from the PM office, removing partisan election officials and preparation of the new digitized voters' list.

"Now, in the face of pressure and threat, the Election Commission is softening its stance on party registration and other matters saying that they are compromising in the interest of the elections. This is not expected," he said.

One must join the race by accepting the laws and regulations, he emphatically said in support of the sweeping changes being carried out since the January 11, 2007 changeover following a political crisis over the issues of the election earlier scheduled for January 22 last year and eventually cancelled.

Dr Kamal, known for his hard stance on cleaning up politics from corruption, money and muscle power, questioned the mass granting of over 200 bails to accused in corruption cases at one go before the vacation of the High Court.

"I've never seen this in my 50 years of legal profession," he said, adding that the caretaker government and the judiciary have the responsibility to inquire into how it could happen.

Demanding a thorough inquiry into the matter of bail binge, the eminent jurist said the legal process of granting bail should not be abused. The Appellate Division could also look into it.

He was critical of projecting the corrupt persons as politicians and raising the demand for their release as 'political prisoners'. He demanded publication of inquiry reports, charge sheets, trial proceedings and court verdicts against those convicted in corruption cases so they cannot claim to be innocent.

Naming some BNP and Awami League leaders and former MPs already convicted of corruption, Dr Kamal questioned if they political prisoners at all. "These people are telling lies, they are deceiving the nation; they should be given Oscar prize for lying," he said deploring the predicament of present-day politics and politicians.

Asked if the caretaker government has failed in its anti-corruption drive, he said the government achieved some success in its mission as some of the corrupt were already convicted while trial proceedings continued against others.

Criticizing the two big parties for their frequent threat that they would not join the elections if their demands were not met, he cited rules of international games like Olympics and questioned whether a player taking steroid could be allowed to compete in the games if proved positive after dope test. He said game organizers rather seize medals from such players and disqualify even for life term from future competitions.

Dr Kamal observed the parties demanding the release of corrupt politicians are basically deceiving the nation. "I will continue to fight desperately against it. I will call a spade a spade. A big lie is being foisted on another big lie. We cannot remain as slaves in independent Bangladesh," he said in an emotion-charged voice.

A former foreign minister of the post-independence period, Dr Kamal said the caretaker government and the election commission that have done some good works in the past 20 months must take certain steps immediately to ensure fair and acceptable elections to create a congenial atmosphere and a level playing field.

"They have taken 20 months to do it…Why they would give up at the last moment? They cannot hold the elections in a halfhearted manner. Why this kind of weakness is being shown?" he wondered.

Asked if he and his party will participate in the elections, he said Gano Froum would sit on October 17 to review the situation and take the decision. "We have been fighting for free and fair elections for last three years. We've spelt out a 23-point charter of demands and mobilized people's support to it by organizing road march."

He said the caretaker government and the election commission cannot deprive people of participating in fair elections. The laws which were amended for fair elections must be applied without any other considerations.

Asked whether the planned December 18 elections would be any different from the past, he said: "Next few weeks will tell you."

Asked if his party will join any alliance, Dr Kamal said they would join alliance with like-minded parties like the Awami League-ld 14-party combine and Prof. Badruddoza Chowdhury's Bikalpa Dhara. But he stands opposed to jumping on the bandwagon of the mega-alliance (moha jote).