Time for the government to act
ABDUL Jalil, the erstwhile General Secretary of Awami League, has flare for sensational politics; he is also capable of telling the truth, occasionally. Why else should he challenge the last election that his party won? Even without salvos from the loose cannon, the shock of the journey back to democracy came from the election itself. The general speculation was that the BNP alliance would lose, broadly for three reasons - people generally do not vote for the incumbent party, rise of terrorism alarmed the west and the caretakers could not afford to see the BNP back to power.
After the legal battles against the Zia family and the leaders, a demoralized BNP had little time to energize for the election. The party was sharply divided between pro and anti election camps. Only point that finally convinced Begum Zia to go for election was the long shot strategy to jettison nonpolitical elements from the political arena to revive the derailed democracy. Opting for the rebirth of democracy in spite of deep personal pain and disadvantages of the party in the election is a commendable judgment by Begum Zia.
The ballot boxes and election activities were apparently transparent but all kinds of stories were fed from the state machinery to influence voters' mind. Rural Bangladesh is still in the grip of the Radio and BTV where voters carefully listen to make up their mind. Koko was not a candidate. If anything, it was a court case. What was the intention to tell the people with lot of fanfare four days before the election that Koko ad stashed money in a bank in Singapore? The news played a decisive role on the large swing vote.
Ten months on, the honeymoon for the government is over. It is now time to pay attention to the jobs at hand. The Four-party Alliance gave legitimacy to the government by participating in the election; it is now the responsibility of the government to restore the invincibility of the constitution.
The load the caretaker government put on the shoulders of the army is still weighing heavy. The fatigue of the army officers was visible when the PM came to Dhaka cantonment to address them after the Peelkhana tragedy. If caretaker regime had not ridden on the back of the army and other paramilitary forces to prolong its life, the Peelkhana tragedy could probably have been avoidable. The danger of frequently misusing the army is its intrinsic capacity to endanger democracy. The gambling must cease for the growth of democracy and professionalism in the army. Nobody should escape the responsibility of illegally grabbing power and derailing democracy.
My worries are not for what has happened during the caretaker regime, but the future of democracy that will remain vulnerable until the honourable court pronounces judgment on the violation of the constitution. The first responsibility of the rulers is to secure constitution and democracy for the people and their own future. I quote here the recent direction given by the supreme court of Pakistan- "General Parvez Musharraf is as much a usurper as general Aga Mohammed Yahya Khan after the imposition of Martial Law in 1969. Therefore, his actions should be nullified, and he would be liable to be tried for high treason and punishment". If that is what the highly militarised Pakistan is saying against usurpers, how the government charters an escape route for the illegal actions following 1/11?
The reason why democracy is still struggling is due to the flippant attitude taken by the political elements towards constitutional obligations. I am a fan of Dr. Fakruddin in many areas of his accomplishment, but sorry; the constitution is against him. The essence of democracy is in the culture of constitutionality and rule of law. The Awami leaguers had bitter experiences; they must not derail from the highway of law and constitution. The commitment of the government is in trying those who violated the constitution. A presidential pardon can take care later, if they deserve mercy. Nevertheless, the illicit door must close forever for the uninterrupted growth of democracy. The advantages are temporary, powers are short lived; but the violation of constitution and rule of law if ignored, a usurper may emerge anytime.
Many Muslim Leaguers mistook Pakistan as the war booty of a successful political maneuver. Their jest for plundering made Bangladesh possible in quarter of a century. Nobody should claim monopoly political right on Bangladesh. Even some ruling party leaders are voicing concern about the extortion and tender manipulation by Juba and Chatra league leaders. Not to be outdone, Mohila League has recently grabbed 12.5 acres land in Chittagong. Extortion, murder and rape cases are alarmingly rising. Honest intention is not enough; the government is suffering from hesitation and indecision.
After so many years, blaming the 4-Partty alliance government for everything wrong has few takers now. Electricity is not the moonlight that can appear and disappear at will. People need food and shelter, health and hygiene, education and job. The representatives of the people may be kind enough to devote their time on these in an environment of constitutionality and the rule of law.
The author is a retired military officer
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