An open letter to the president

After leaving the university I kept reading your name in the media first as president of the Dhaka University teachers association when you got prominence as a leading figure during anti-Ershad movement. Then you were appointed as chairman of the Public Service Commission. As your former student I was proud of your achievements and I thought certainly one day you would crown your career by being a VC of Dhaka University at an appropriate time.

But you surprised me by being the president of the country instead and more surprise was in store for me when you took additional responsibility as caretaker chief under extra-ordinary circumstances. I was really worried with this additional burden due to your deteriorating health condition. But nobody is to blame for this as you took your own decision to enter into the murky world of Bangladesh politics.

Sir, to tell you the truth, my confidence and pride in you began to evaporate as I could not buy your argument of being the CA bypassing the constitutional provision of appointing one from the eminent citizens. You can say many things but this nation failed to see a single visible effort from you to that end. Still I thought you would be able to pull this nation out of destruction through your culture, intelligence and experience. But honestly speaking, can you say you are in the right track to accomplish that?

Let me give you an example. You assured your advisers that all would accept the newly appointed two election commissioners. But it appeared in the newspapers that one of them actively sought BNP nomination for this election. It appears you have not done proper homework for this important task considering how tough it is to remove an election commissioner once he is appointed. Is not it appalling and unfortunate, sir? Could not you assign some of the advisers to short list the would be election commissioners and remain out of controversy?

Again, have you forgotten that yours is not a political but a caretaker non-political government? I say so because the other day you called Attorney General and secretary to the election commission in the mid-night in the Bangabhaban and the next day election schedule was announced hurriedly to pre-empt the writ petition submitted with the Supreme Court thereby creating another controversy. It is incomprehensible that two major decisions were announced and your advisers were saying publicly that they were not aware of any of those. Why there are so many gaps between you and the advisors when you are supposed to work in unison? Certainly heavens would not have fallen if the election schedules were announced a few days later.

It seems you are hell bent upon remaining in controversy after controversy and as an adoring ex-student, nothing is more painful than this. Sir, I think at your age, you are mature and intelligent enough to understand that those (if any) who are using you (seemingly) as a pawn to play dirty politics to grab power are not your friends.

Sir, till the announcement of election schedules and appointment of the controversial election commissioner, general people were frustrated with the negative politics of the Awami League but believe me sir, now people on the street are saying, 'we equally have a bad President'. If AL is being obstinate, it is also because you are giving them chance to be that.

Sir, you look Presidential but you must act Presidential also. Let people remember you not as a follower but as a leader. Please wake up to the reality; onus is on you to deliver something extra-ordinary to this nation. You just cannot fail to do it. Regards.

The most relaxed chief executive

It's seems that the honourable President and Chief Adviser Iajuddin Ahmed is now the most relaxed President or chief executive in the world! There have been long debate from many corners whether our political parties have any commitment to the nation and are able to understand the people's mind, but at this moment people are surprised to see that their honourable President is seemingly inactive where he was supposed to act as quick as possible. Now the people doesn't have any confusion that the honourable President and Chief Adviser is showing that he is the most relaxed President or chief executive in the World! When the nation has been passing such a critical time, when every common people is anxious about the situation. No one knows what is going to happen next but the present activities and behaviour of the President or Chief Adviser do not show that he is at all concerned about the reality.

The four-member committee of Advisers met the President last Thursday morning with their proposal to find out a way to get out from the present political problem with a solution acceptable to all parties. The committee members had done their work as quickly as possible after discussion with the major political parties and furnished their report. They were trying to meet the President to have his decision to move further immediately but the President didn't have time for them until the next regular cabinet meeting scheduled for Monday. None have clear idea why the honourable President and Chief Adviser have been taking time unnecessarily. Many peoples along with political parties were expressing their doubt whether the election could take place within the stipulated time if the things went in this fashion.

And now that there's some light at the end of the tunnel people are now asking whether the president have any ability to inspire the nation further?

Mohsin, Lalmatia, Dhaka