The wind of change

“There is a tide in the affairs of men,

taken in the floods,

leads to fortune”

— Shakespeare

The current political discourses are indicative of some impending changes in the political management of the country. The following information lead: The High Court has come up with two formulas for an interim government to assist the election commission in holding next two parliamentary elections.

The formulas are  (1) Incumbent PM-led election time-cabinet with 50 new ministers from all political parties and (2) Main opposition party to from government for the last one year of the 5 year tenure of the parliament.

Begum Khaleda Zia Chairperson of the BNP who was Prime Minister of the country for two terms (technically three terms for the passage of the constitutional amendment paving the way for caretaker government system), has recently said that her demand for Caretaker Government is not a must for holding the national election which should be held under a neutral government.

However, she clarified that such election shall not be held under Sheikh Hasina. Meanwhile the law and order situation in the country is deteriorating day by day and even to the extent that Chatra League activities have been killed by Rab and police in gun fights. Earlier the Secretary General of the Awami League Sayed Ashraful Islam who is also the Minister for Public Affairs has warned the Sechasebak League to give up its greed. He also warned that they have to be careful because in 1975 when Sheikh Mujib was killed, Awami League was in power. Tofail Ahmed, Commerce Minister, and some other leaders of AL have also warned the Awami Jubo League to be careful about conspiracies.

The Concerned Citizen Group, which consists of some former government officials and members of former caretaker government has suggested to the government to form a constitution commission to reform the existing constitution in order to make it more balanced and equable for the democratic dispensation in running the affairs of Bangladesh. Sheikh Hasina’s reaction to this suggestion was immediate rejection because the present government is not going to support setting up a constitutional reform commission as the 15 amendment to the constitution has blocked the authority of future parliaments to bring amendments. This clause serves the purpose of the government fully and totally and therefore the present government is not in a mood to listen to the above suggestion.

It is well-known now that there is external pressure from the world’s leading countries on the government for having a fresh election which should be inclusive to enable all parties to participate in the election free from any power or authority to manipulate the Election Commission or organize a voter-less/rigged election.

It appears from the present political situation and also information available through the print and electronic media that a fresh election is likely to take place sooner or later but nobody is willing to predict any timeframe.

Meanwhile, Sayed Ashraful Islam and some other members of the cabinet have said that election would be held in the year 2019 under the existing constitution. If so, then why are they repeatedly cautioning their party activists to be careful and vigilant without being specific about it?  Is it a call for them to be ready for election as good sense may prevail upon the government to go for an early election and try their electoral luck?

Independent analysts believe that in view of the fast deteriorating law and order situation and the rising intra-party feuds within the ruling party establishment seemingly beyond anyone’s control, the government has to firmly put a stop to all this to prove that it means business and that it is firmly in control. The government and the ruling party leaders would have to ensure that the situation improves soon in their enlightened self interest. They must now do some soul searching and come to a decision, the analysts say.

Bangladesh has achieved successes in many fields including sports, particularly cricket and in socioeconomic fields and services. It would, therefore, be worthwhile for the government to go for an interim election for the parliament which is being proposed by all political parties.  Such a step will uplift the country’s image considerably and the continuing political impasse which is dragging the country backward that defied solution could come to an end peacefully.

Source: Weekly Holiday