The New Nation - Internet Edition

Abdur Rahim

Despite the assurance of the Chief Election Commissioner D. Shamsul Huda of declaration on November 02, the schedule for the 8th Jatiya Sangsad and Upa Zila elections people in general and political parties in particular are skeptic about holding of the JS elections on December 18 next, as per the commitment of the neutral caretaker government. The two major demands of the two main political parties--- real stake- holders in national politics, remaining unresolved the possibility of election taking place on the stipulated date seems bleak. BNP and Awami League have been sticking to their demand for eligibility of their two all-powerful leaders to participate in the polls, and withdrawal of the state of emergency with a view to holding 'a free and fair election'. Both the parties have vowed not to take part in the elections unless their two leaders are allowed to contest the polls. The parties are not at all satisfied with the observation of the government's spokesman Hossain Zillur Rahman that this very issue would be settled by the court. Begum Zia and Sheikh Hasina will now be allowed to lead their respective party is no solace to the followers of the former Prime Ministers who enjoy tremendous popular support despite a number of corruption cases pending against them. Awami League demands withdrawal of all cases aginst Sheikh Hasina to enable her to participate in the upcoming election. Expressing identical view the BNP says, cases initiated against Begum Zia were politically motivated to malign her and tarnish her popular image. While Begum Zia is on bail, Sheikh Hasina is on parole as per government order. Begum Zia is ready to face the cases against her pending before the court saying that she did not want mercy, the Awami League chief on the other hand asks the government for withdrawal of all corruption cases against her. It is yet unclear whether or not the caretaker government would yield to this particular demand of the two major political parties. However, the future politics of the country squarely depends on the resolution of this vexed issue.

The initial sympathisers of the government have turned bitter critics of the administration because of release on bail a huge number of politicians, either convicted or held in custody on corruption charges. Most vocal among them are eminent jurist and Ganoforum chief Kamal Hossain and Ferdous Quraishi of the P D P (Progressive Democratic party, earlier known as king's party). The P D P Chairperson strongly feels that the government must try the persons, including the two big party leaders, held on corruption charges and in case they (Begum Zia and Sheikh Hasina ) are found not guilty, the government should publicly apologise to them. Further, he is opposed to the holding of JS polls on December 18, as he thinks, the government should hold a referendum on this issue. Meanwhile, some quarters are of the view that it would not be possible to hold the JS election on the stipulated time (18 December), as a case is pending before the High Court as regards delimitation of the constituencies.

Meanwhile, former President H.M Ershad is the lone person confident of the holding of the election on the scheduled date and he is taking necessary steps to participate in the polls under the banner of the uncertain 'Mohajote' to be headed by his election ally Sheikh Hasina whom he recently met in London. He hopes to secure nomination of 60 JP candidates from the 'great alliance' despite severe opposition from Awami League's old allies comprising the left parties. The leftists all together might ask for 40 nominations from the AL-led alliance.

On the other hand, the BNP-led four-party alliance seems to be in a more comfortable position with Begum Zia directly handling the affairs relating the forthcoming polls. Former stalwarts of the BNP who had left the party and joined other organisations are at present expressing their desire to return to their old party, keeping in mind the possibility of getting nominations in the next election. But one can not say for sure as yet whether the next JS election will be held on the government-announced date, or not.

(The writer is a former executive editor of the Bangladesh Observer)