Bangladesh is on the verge of 10th national parliamentary election. But an ambiguousness in the constitution of this republic has been developed over the tenure of Awami League (AL) led government on the issues of interim government in election time and the maturity of the assembly. Though, the one and only valid explanator of the constitution is the Supreme Court but many a quarter including constitution specialists therefore lawyers and politicians are explaining it from different angles. The prime opposition party is holding a stubborn position about not going to elections under the current system of voting while the government is also rigid in their stance. This standoff is apparently leading us to an unexpected calamitous situation where everyone desires for peace and a peaceful transition of power.
What is happening in this country now deserves an in-depth look. How have we come to this point is a question of general citizens, voters and obviously the civil society. Back to January 2009, Awami league came to power with a landslide victory of 230 seats among the 300 seats and with a huge popularity. The opposition, BNP, had virtually no power in the parliament with few public representatives to interfere in the government’s actions of passing laws or changing sections of constitution. Although it was a big blunder, but the opposition chose to leave the house and occupied the streets. Nobody is concluding that the government, in and out of the parliament, did all wrong with the huge power but the list of mistakes or corruptions is not short as well. The AL led government has contributed a lot in the development of the country in different sectors like electricity, gas, agriculture, education, production and so forth that our country has ever seen. The construction of fly-overs in Dhaka city within a single term is highly commendable. The achievements of sea area after the suit with Myanmar, huge amount of free supply of books in primary school level are some of the accomplishments of the government. From a political valuation, the handling of the situation after BDR mutiny, the settlement of Hifazat’s long march and their Dhaka occupying movement, the rigid position against radicalism is highly admirable success of the government. The implementation of justice in Bangabondhu assassination case, the revival of war crime tribunal and arresting of the alleged criminals are some valiant step of the AL government. On the other hand, the flacks against government are often too severe. World Bank- Padma Bridge, Weak diplomatic negotiations with India, quick rental, stock market scandal, Hallmark- Sonali bank scam, Rampal power plant, Teesta-Tipaimukh dam are few to name from a long list of accusations. Now the time of election has come and it is the choice and responsibility of the citizens and voters to value the success and failures of government and opposition, determine the political parties’ competence and most importantly to send a party to power for next five years to run the country.
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| Parliament House of Bangladesh (A symbol of democracy) |
To focus the opposition party, they left the government in
a playground with no rivalry. They felt comfortable in the streets and in the talk-shows
instead of parliament. They chose to stick to a party of alleged war criminals
and remained silent in the times of moral crises. There are lots of examples
where they showed violence instead of wisdom. They didn’t stand against the
government with the national issues like they stood up for their narrow
partisan interest. Even in some cases, they failed to capture the public
sentiment while government was in a backward situation. From a bird’s eye view,
the opposition wasn’t careful enough to resist the government from their
autocratic moves.
Hence, for the currently ongoing political deadlock, both the government and the opposition are equally responsible. The government has changed the constitution legitimately and the election time is very near now. However, it is very understandable that without the participation of BNP the election will not be fair and acceptable. And as a developing country we cannot afford that type of election and reelection again; what the current opposition and the then government, BNP, showed us before in 1996. The politicians do not have a good experience with unelected caretaker government after infamous 1/11. But the formula that the AL government has developed is not a perfect one. And it has become almost impossible for the government to revert the changes made in the constitution. So, whatever the acceptable solution is must come out from a participative dialogue. It is also to remember that, all power including the vote, in a democracy, is held by general public. Hence, powerful neighbors or third parties have nothing to determine the fate of this country. But unfortunately, both the parties are acting very rigid and childish which will bring no good for the future.
A real democracy is where the parliament holds a balance. For instance a 170/130 or similar wining makes a balance of power. What our voters do is not to vote for the candidate rather they vote for the logo or the memories of iconic leaders or the party. This happened in 2001 and again in 2009. That’s the exact reason why democratic political parties become autocratic and a weaker opposition occupies the street and takes the path of violence. Whatever the situation has lately been developed in our country must not be solved by bloodshed or machetes. Wisdom, toleration and an intention to sacrifice are expected from all political parties, smaller or bigger.
In the 43 years of liberation, we experienced assassination, military coup, unelected government, bloodshed, attack and resilience. We want to believe that the time of darkness has been over. In this decade our generations are dreaming of a bright future and holding passions to go forward. In this context, we implore to the political parties not to hold our back but to show a bit of wisdom and sagacity. The path of going forward is not smooth; don’t make it worse anymore, please.
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