A setback to BNP

BNP should realise that its last five years is a record of more failures than successesfailures which are more immediate and closer to the masseslack of power, water, fertiliser, suffering due to inadequate Hajj flights, collapsing Biman, widespread corruption everywhere and the intolerably high prices of necessary commodities, which by any account simply dwarfed and diminished the few scattered successes it may have had in some areas for a certain small quarter only. Despite the fact that the BNP-led front came to power with two-thirds majority, it miserably failed people's expectations while it was busy to serve its own material interest through rampant corruption.

BNP supporters like me are deeply embarrassed and disappointed at the failure of the party and now they are again disappointed at the painful loss of Col. Oli who is already on his way to a great success in forming an opposition party. How many more suicidal mistakes can BNP afford to make?

The common people as well as people of all classes are anxiously watching the death of a beautiful nation. I don't understand why these people don't look at the mirror to see their own image. Well, when we observed some leaders left their party revolting against some disorder, some people praised it and some criticised it saying why did these so called honest leaders not express it before. Why now?

Mohammad Masud Hossain Dipu, Lecturer, Inathganj College, Sylhet

By this time we know all about the governance and mismanagement of the present BNP- Jamaat combine. Our expectations from the next government which will hopefully not be formed by the present 'duet singers' are quite high. Apart from the guidelines announced by Sheikh Hasina on 10 October, the followings points deserve consideration.

To ease the intolerable traffic jam of Dhaka city the plan for underground metro lines should be revived. The process initiated by the immediate past government was stalled by the PMO for reasons best known to the decision makers. The proposal should be immediately revived, agreement signed and work initiated. There is no alternative to underground train lines for easing traffic jams. All the big cities were developed in the same prescribed manner.

The corrupt politicians, party men, officials etc. should be rounded up, pressurized for a full confession of their misdeeds and be forced to refund at least 80% of the stolen money. Otherwise, they should face death penalty with ostracisation of other family members. A 'stolen money recovery authority' may be formed. It was quite successful in Pakistan. Nawaz Sharif and others had to refund a big chunk of stolen money to avail the opportunity of the safe passage to Saudi Arabia and other countries. It's govt. money and should be deposited to the exchequer. The money will be spent for developmental purposes.

The gangs of 'dacoits' should be rounded up and deported after full confession, recovery of stolen money. Lists of politicians who are criminals, anti-liberation first degree collaborators etc. should be made.

List of active members of the Jamaat, JMB, BNP hardliners etc should be drawn by appointing intelligence and local people at the ward, union, village levels.

Lists of other criminals should be prepared in the same manner.

Primary education should contain a subject called. 'ethics'. It will imbibe the students with liberal ideas, teachings and values. This will make them more tolerant and respectful to all religions. This will bring qualitative and quantitative changes in our future generations.

Religion as a political tool should be banned.

Prices of essentials are to be brought to tolerable and rational level by destroying the syndicates. Traders should be taken into confidence.

Power generation situation has to be improved within one year.

Hope the leaders will rise to the occasion.

SN Mamoon, Dhaka

I have come to learn that 13 ruling party MPs and a minister are among 102 people who have joined the newly formed Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). This is the best news coming from Bangladesh politics for a long time by any stretch of imagination. I am delighted to see that sensible deputies have decided to distance themselves from today's BNP a far cry from the principles of its founder President Ziaur Rahman wrought with corruption, nepotism and dictatorial dynastic philosophy.

It is a shame that today's BNP and AL leaders have lost sight of the vision of their respective founders and have started to treat our country as their private property. However, I am sceptical about whether the Bangladesh electorate has the sense to realize this. What we have in Bangladesh are two leaders who have thoroughly failed our country. I wonder when looters and plunderers will be exiled like Mr. Thaksin Sinawatra, the deposed leader of Thailand. But I am certain that it will happen. The formation of LDP is a good sign to that end.

I have unconfirmed reports from Dhaka (since online Bangladesh newspapers are not being updated because of the Eid festivities) that the houses of those who have left BNP are being torched. AL has called for a siege of the capital because talks have broken down between the two main parties. These infantile tantrums only show the true colours of the mind-set of today's main-stream Bangladeshi political parties both of which have failed to demonstrate their duty to the country above their own greed for power. In the mean time, the common people of Bangladesh are held hostage to violence and suffering in silence.

I hope more sensible and honest people will have the courage to step out of these two dysfunctional dictatorial dynasties and give the electorate a badly needed break from the choice between two failed leaders.

Shabbir A. Bashar, PhD, Vancouver, USA

We know the rare breed our politicians are. We know them more than they know themselves, which they do not know. So, we know what they say and what they do is all for themselves, not for us the general public. Hence our great expectations now hinge on a new political party with a new manifesto. We have great people like the Nobel Laureate Professor Yunus. Why shouldn't we have a noble party for noble actions to save us, to save the nation? This is not just our wishful thinkingwe believe it with all our heart. The nation is eagerly waiting to see the birth of such a new political party (let's call it People Power) with the following 10-point manifesto.

1. The party will disown all its student and youth wings.
2. Will not call any hartal / strike.(There can be a silent 'human chain'/ demonstration as a right to express opinions or to protest something.)
3. Separate judiciary from the executive.
4. Ensure justice for all.
5. Decentralize education and improve its quality.
6. Take steps to introduce moral and civic education, particularly at the primary and secondary levels.
7. Never politicise administration and other organisations and institutions.
8. Eliminate corruption.
9. Root out militancy.
10. Promote, protect and set up local industries.

I promise I'll vote for this new party. And I'm sure the great majority will do the same.

Professor Shamsul Hoque, On e-mail

The news of the Awami League and the BNP preparing for a showdown of strength made us very frightened. We have had enough of unrest; we won't be able to take anymore. Why this showdown, for whose benefit? The Awami League is prepared with sticks and oars; we don't know what BNP will be ready with to face it. They must shun this primitive attitude; it will only result in destruction of lives and destruction of government and private property.

What do the politicians take us for? A herd of cattle? Do they think this sort of actions will increase support for them? They are gravely mistaken, people expect rational behaviour from the leaders, this showdown of strength is fit for 'mastans', not political leaders, we hope they realise it and refrain from making this country a battleground.

Nur Jahan, Chittagong

I was really surprised that the Awami League had planned to hold the proposed meeting between Mr. Jalil and Mr. Bhuiyan at the residence of the American Ambassador. I am even more surprised that the American Ambassador agreed to offer the venue without the consent of the BNP Chairperson.

When the offer was made to Mr. Bhuiyan he did not say "yes" or "no". And then he held a press conference to condemn the idea and say "no". It is a little more than that. In this press conference he said that Mr. Jalil could "blackmail" him. In your column you have not made any mention about it. Everyone knows blackmailing is a serious crime and so this is a serious charge made against Mr. Jalil, a very senior politician. Is there really any substance to back Mr. Bhuiyan's accusation?

Fayaz Khan, Eskaton, Dhaka

In every discussion meeting or interview every leader of BNP tried to prove that Justice KM Hasan is a non-political person. But it is KM Hasan who could plead for his political neutrality. Whether he is politically biased or not it is totally up to him. None except me can say whether I am a political or apolitical person. When Mr. Hasan himself is silent about his political neutrality, how can a political party speak for him? Why do they (BNP leaders) advocate for Hasan's neutrality? So is there any extra-relationship between them? BNP's extra enthusiasm to prove Hasan's neutrality raises the question of their honesty.

It is not the sole duty of the BNP to appoint the chief of caretaker government it will be decided as per the constitution. The constitution opts for a neutral/ non-political caretaker government. But how could a government be neutral under a person who has political identity? It is also important to note that a person who is once political can never be apolitical or non-political.

Zakir Hossain, Bezpara, Jessore