“There may be
disputes, rivalry, and competition between government and
political parties, but in eventual judgment, while we all are
trying to launch a healthy and stable democratic process in the
country and 150 million people’s expectation to stand before the
comity of the world with national identity, flourished with the
spirit of self-confidence, these are not our main features,”
Chief Adviser of the present military-backed interim government
of Bangladesh Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed hoped in an address to the
nation over state-owned radio and television on May 12, 2008
regarding the planned dialogue beginning May 22 between
government and political parties. Everybody should have to
overcome all narrowness, vengeance, and mistrust in proceeding
towards the end, he further added.
His government that
took over the responsibility of the government on January 12,
2007 with ongoing state of emergency in the backdrop of
inevitable changes, declared the date for political transition,
possibly any day in the third week of December next, and planned
to hold a dialogue between the government and political parties
to bring qualitative improvement in political structure.
Total 19
political parties, including Awami League, Jatiya Party,
Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh, Liberal Democratic Party, Unity for
Political Reforms, Bangladesh Nationalist Party [mainstream],
Islami Shasantantra Andolan, Bangladesher Samajtantric Dal,
Khelafat Andolan, Khelafat Majlish and the splinter group of BNP
(Bangladesh National Party), had been invited, according to the
chief adviser’s spokesman, Syed Fahim Munaim. But various
political parties and groups appear to be unhappy with the
contents of address by the Chief Adviser (CA), saying they had
found no reflection of people’s expectations in it.
In their
criticism, several things were common, like lack of specific
commitment on withdrawal of the state of emergency, allowing war
criminals to participate in the elections, and government
incompetence for the present food price hikes. Referring their
five-point demand including immediate and unconditional release
of party president and former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina
enabling her to take part in the national dialogue, AL formally
rejected his address, saying the CA failed to create trust among
the people about the national dialogue in his speech while
according to the BNP secretary general, Khandaker Delwar
Hossain, CA completely ignored the party’s 18-point demand which
includes release of party’s supremo and former Premier – Khaleda
Zia.
Several others
expressed their deep frustrations on ban on indoor politics
across the country terming it more complicated as the political
parties would have to inform the administration 48 hours before
holding a meeting and require permission for a gathering of more
than 200 people. CA’s proposed ‘national charter,’ a guideline
to make strong relations among political parties, institutions,
and communities across the country on the basis of consensus on
relevant matters prior to the polls so qualitative changes are
censured in government and political systems after the election,
was not welcomed and brought confusion as according to the
political parties, only the people’s elected parliament has the
authority to formulate such things. In his comments, Communist
Party general secretary Mujahidul Islam Selim opposed any such
charter as the 1972 constitution is the only national charter in
Bangladesh and he wanted to restore secular constitution.
CA described the
much-talked-dialogue, which is scheduled to be placed at his
office, is a trust-based initiative. While he assured that the
government had no pre-fixed agenda and didn’t have any hostility
against anyone, different political parties observed the address
intensified the people’s confusion over elections and dialogues
instead of dispelling such confusion. Government once again
assured everyone including political parties to provide all-out
support and cooperation based on the needs and demands from the
Election Commission (EC). But political parties claimed that the
state of emergency wouldn’t be lifted before the polls and there
would be both direct and indirect influences on the polls by
relaxing the state of emergency.
EC’s ongoing
efforts to hold elections at local levels would not create any
obstacle to attain the prime target — to hold national
elections, CA promised. He explained that the polls at the local
levels would able to create a positive flow towards greater
national elections. If the government, which has no political
ambitions, intends to hold local government polls before the
national elections, it prompts people to raise questions about
and doubt the attitude of the government, Jamaat-e-Islami amir,
Matiur Rahman Nizami opposed government’s intention. AL echoed
the same, including BNP while it was announcing mass hunger
strike in every district, upazila, and union on May 20 to press
for releasing Hasina.
His address,
political parties agony of doubt, and country’s sufferings are
all for a sustainable democracy in the country. “Our all
endeavors would turn into despair unless a healthy and stable
democracy is introduced,” CA opined. Speakers at a roundtable
meeting titled 'Exercise of democracy inside political parties'
at the Cirdap auditorium on May 14, 2008 also again discussed
like many other times about what factors were the reasons behind
1/11 scenario either bureaucrats, professional bodies,
businessmen, or political parties. Whoever, there was no mutual
respects among political parties for each other as well as
cordial and effective relationship among them.
For democracy is
not only the right of every one to be equal, but also the equal
right of every one to be different. Although, no major political
parties exercise democracy, but democracy cannot be established
through pressure or with mighty hands. Democracy recognizes not
only the dictum of the majority, but also the need to respect
the minority. The parliament does not hide its decisions, just
as it is not ashamed to build bridges and suggest compromises,
with the aim of defending the unity of the many and the dignity
of the few.
The present
world is very competitive and fast moving. The country is facing
rising fuel prices and food shortages. A struggling economy and
continued acrimonious and tense relations between the government
and the businessmen have increased citizen's cynicism about any
such reforms or proposals or even drive against corruptions.
Therefore all political and administrative activities should be
complementary to economic development to keep pace with the
world economy as every day and every hour is very important to
keep economic wheels moving on. The proponents of democracy
generally regard economic freedom as a key element in any
democratic society.
The entire
election process should be free from black money, muscle power,
administrative biases, nomination trade, and excessive expenses
for poll campaigns to get a sustainable democratic society,
therefore, to make inroads for honest, worthy, and dynamic
leadership. To return to a stable democracy, both the government
and political parties should reach consensus on all important
issues so that everybody can participate in the elections.
There may be
dispute between government and political parties, but as long as
it’s a concern to strengthen democracy, ensure a corruption-free
society, and guarantee an economically secure Bangladesh, the
upcoming dialogue shouldn’t to be derailed with any other
considerations.
