Losing strategy

Let me focus on the prevailing "blame and counter blame" game among the political parties. If we assume that blames are not true, it means they are lying and not eligible for getting votes. On the other hand, if we assume that blames are true, it means they are defaulter/criminal/corrupt, in that case also they are not eligible for getting votes, moreover, they should be liable to punishment as per law. Think for a while, these people come to power again and again and are fostering democracy! Where is the reflection of the essence of democracy "Govt. by the people, for the people, of the people"?

There is a funny culture in our society where we, the educated people, often try to portrait the character of politicians the way we find it convenient to create an impression that "X" is better than "Y" if we like "X" or the other way around. Whereas, it will be very difficult to find out a single politician who is not involved in the filthy activities like corruption, nepotism, profiteering, exploitation of public assets, violation of human rights etc, regardless of political affiliation.

Surprisingly, major political parties (both major alliances) are wasting time to implement the most popular commitments i.e. (a) establishment and functioning of "Anti Corruption Commission" and (b) "Separation of judiciary from the administration". But why? Is it the common agenda of the major political parties that they will continue to enjoy the fruits (?) of misuse of power in the absence of proper functioning of ACC and separation of judiciary from the administration!! How long?

My appeal to all concerned: let us think properly, react properly and act properly without any prejudice and contribute in mobilizing public opinion accordingly. Otherwise, the next generation will not forgive us for our failure.

Finally, can we expect that the next elected government will rule the country in a proper manner (disregarding previously practiced "special arrangements"), which will eventually increase the possibility of winning the hearts of the general people and thereby winning the election?

The Daily Star recently reported "The Awami League (AL) that has almost finalised its own candidates starts negotiations today with its allies over seat-sharing for the election..." that "AL Joint General Secretary Obaidul Quader told The Daily Star that his party is ready to leave at least 80 seats for their allies and like-minded parties..." and that "The JP-Ershad that had earlier sought a total of 72 seats might be finally given between 45 and 50 seats...”

In the past I have questioned the need, at this point in time of our "democracy”, to have a caretaker government, and voiced that it was because of each party's mistrust of fairness of elections and lack of faith in one party turning over the reins of government to the next government (led by an opposing party). And I've questioned why each government feels that under a parliamentary system (in which a party can call for new election) they must remain in office until the last moment as part of peoples' mandate, when they can, if they have confidence in their government, can hold a new election early and start the five-year period again.

But what I fail to understand now is the planning, before elections, for the sharing of seats in parliament. One would think that if a party had confidence in itself, and could field candidates for each constituency, it would field them, it would have the party's candidates run for office, and then, after the election, the leading party would put together its coalition. Not before.

If the Awami League, or any other party, believed its candidates were the best candidates, a belief it should have, then it should run candidates in as many constituencies as possible, and if it wins an outright plurality (more than half the votes cast), it doesn't need to build a coalition. Or, if it feels that it needs a coalition of other parties in advance of the election, then it should bring those candidates and those parties into a combined party.

Run for office. Run your own candidates. If you win a plurality of seats in parliament, congratulations, you won control of parliament. If you win a majority of seats in parliament, then build your coalition with parties that have won seats and offer positions in the coalition government.

M.M. Haque , On e-mail