Some top leaders had, at first, rejected the necessity of political reform, imagining that their undisputed powers would continue, and because they thought that it would mean their departure from politics.

The top leaders appear to think that they are saviours of political parties in difficult days, and have ruled and will rule the country through some kind of medieval theory of "Divine Right" of dynastic heritage.

Although there is no barring of relatives of leaders to get involved in politics, one must climb a the ladder to a higher party position. One cannot "hop-step-jump" to a top position of a party just because one belongs to the family of the top party leader.

As a moral example, a chairperson of a party/prime minister must accept the responsibility for the good or bad things during her/his tenure, and denying it would make the case worse. As a prime minister, she enjoyed all the perks and facilities at public expense, so there should be acceptance of responsibility to the public, which is the norm in democracy.

Many of the leaders took the ordinary Bangladeshi people for a joy-ride, in which they believed that rampant corruption and politics were tolerated in a country where an individual could turn into a millionaire by entering politics. Politics became the best investment in the country.

Politicians seem to be oblivious to the fact that people in the countryside may be illiterate, but are worldly "educated" and that they have witnessed the politicians' game of power, corruption, and use of muscle power in the name of pseudo-democracy since 1991.

US President Abraham Lincoln once said: "You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time; but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time."

The crunch time came on January 11 this year. Political leaders did not initially understand what they had landed into. Soon, suspected corrupt leaders were arrested and are now behind bars, awaiting trial. The arresting of some leaders of major political parties has surprised people, because they had always talked about their service to the people.

What is extraordinary is that some of the leaders believed that if they were arrested massive protests would pour onto the streets. When they found that they were alone and that their game was up, it was to their severe disappointment.

Against this background, there are statements from the civil society, the people, and many suppressed but otherwise vocal leaders of major political leaders, that political reforms are imperative for restoring the people's trust and confidence in political leaders.

Political leaders are high-profile persons in all countries, and their activities are always under the sharp gaze of the public and the media. In democratic countries, when the media writes something negative about their actions, they tend to take note of the views and attempt to modify or correct their actions. After all, the media is the mirror of the society and reflects the pulse of the people.

The role of the media was misunderstood in Bangladesh, and many political leaders blamed them. The more a political leader became critical about the media, the more recognition that person got from the top leader. The conduct of many leaders with the media is like shooting the messenger without looking at the message.

Nature of reform
Civil society has been reiterating the nature of political reforms, and the media has given it wide publicity. The Election Commission has circulated a paper on electoral reforms, yet some top leaders remain confused about reforms.

The bottom line of political reforms is simply that concentration of powers with the party leader must go. Whatever decision the top leader takes must be a joint, or consensus, decision. There must be adequate checks and balances within the party organisation.

Other reforms suggested by the civil society include:

• Intra-party democratic way of choosing leaders of the working committee or council. No nominated persons can be placed in these vital bodies.
• Suspected corrupt leaders are to be dissociated from the party, however unpalatable the decision might be.
• Wealth statements may be made mandatory in fighting corruption among political leaders. They must declare their wealth statement before occupying a ministerial or government position, and when they leave office.
• There exists a large number of non-corrupt people in major political parties. They should be given recognition and their due role in the higher echelons of the party.
• Funds and expenditures of the party are to be made transparent, and be audited by competent auditing firms.
• Donations from business people or organizations must be made transparent, because they do not give donations for love of a party, as there is a saying there is "no free lunch" these days.
• Limit the tenure of chairperson or prime minister to two terms, so that others get a chance, and apply them to existing chairperson/prime ministers.
• Easy mechanisms for removal of the chairperson by the party members must exist in the party constitution.
• Separate the party from the government. The government must be accountable to parliamentary party members.

Reforms so far
Major political parties are also undertaking reforms, often leading to splitting of parties on the basis of individuals. One or two new political parties are being organized with honest politicians.

On May 25, the BNP secretary general unveiled a 15-point plan of reforms of his party, that is likely to end the power of the chairperson, if approved. The chairperson of BNP reportedly expressed reservations on such reforms on the ground that they were inconsistent with the party constitution. She, reportedly, will present her own reforms.

Some of the AL senior leaders have their own proposals for reforms in the party, and have begun to present them to the media. Many of their reforms are common, and could be a basis of reforms of AL. The chairperson of AL is also presenting her plan of reforms.

The proposals of various leaders manifest only one thing -- there is no unity.

In the light of the above paragraphs, political leaders may have a hard look into the matter of reforms in political parties, and how to dissociate the parties with known or perceived corrupt politicians, young or old. They may bring in honest and dedicated politicians and rejuvenate the party.

Politics is the highest call of service to people. The nation needs good, honest and committed people, for whom power is a vehicle for serving the common people.

Barrister Harun ur Rashid is a former Bangladesh Ambassador to the UN, Geneva.