The above has been mentioned in order to understand the ramifications of the retirement-related pronouncements of some of our high profile politicians. The subject assumes added significance because we were under the mistaken belief that our politicians do not fade away till their last breath, and that, in our parlance, retirement was an unknown word to the worldly-wise practitioners of the art of politics.

A veteran politician, who served creditably under the dictatorial dispensation of General Hussain Mohammad Ershad and later secured a position as minister of a vital sector during Awami League tenure, has declared his decision to retire from politics in the not-too-distant future.

Soon after the announcement, criminal cases relating to his misdeeds as minister were registered. It is not yet known if this gentleman's intention to retire was occasioned by the likely involvement in criminal cases. It remains to be seen if the fact of the retirement intent influences the modus operandi of the investigating agency.

While in power, the supreme leader of a major political party once said that she would like to retire from active politics after attaining the age of fifty-seven. Years later, she is saying that now, when she is nearing the age of sixty, she does not mind retiring from politics. She has also added that senior political leaders over the age of sixty should be consigned to advisory positions.

A high profile politician, while in custody, has reportedly pleaded to the authority for exempting him from the charges and, in doing so, has also declared his resolve to quit politics.

Cynics say that there are many fence-sitters in the political ranks who are waiting to see the likely retirement advantages. Such elements are closely observing the pace of anti-graft measures to decide if relinquishment or abdication would be a profitable course of action.

Undoubtedly, the scenario is quite unsettling. The question that should bother any right-thinking person is whether politics should be treated like any other occupation or vocation. There is no disputing that being in politics one delivers public service of a high and very different order. Therefore, why should the thought of apparently premature retirement concern people who are to preside over the destinies of millions of men and women?

Are some politicians contemplating retirement because politics had been a very satisfying means of personal enrichment for them, and that too within a short period? Such an apprehension is suspected to be true for at least some young politicos who, in the last couple of years, have risen from rags to riches.

One such figure who worked in a sensitive post in the chief executive's office during the last political government is now a fugitive from the law. Some glimpses of his illegal acquisitions, as reported in the media, are credible evidence of the abominable low to which politics has descended in Bangladesh.

One may question as to why the idea of retirement should have any relevance to the practitioners of politics. They are of the view that appointment, suspension and retirement are processes in government service, where appointees carry out the wishes of the political government.

Such appointees come through a constitutionally laid down process of selection and are guided by multiple rules and regulations. They do not act on free will and have to retire at age fifty seven, if not sent home earlier on account of incapacity, to enjoy the pleasure of the appointing authority.

Coming to specifics, one may wonder whether there is a prescribed minimum qualification for those who seek election to parliament. The qualifications of citizenship and age are related to an accident of birth and the result of the inexorable passage of time. Therefore, is it time to advocate some positive qualifications for aspirants to a parliamentary stint?

In our situation one cannot but be struck by the grim irony that the one job for which you need no training or qualification whatsoever is the job of legislating for, and governing, a large democracy. It is, indeed, strange that to steer the lives and destinies of nearly 150 million people one is not required having any education or training at all.

Discerning observers are of the considered view that it is manifestly anomalous that we should insist upon high qualifications for those who administer or help in administering the law, but none for those who make it, except that they be elected.

There is no denying that a law-giver requires intellectual equipment but also, even more than that, the capacity to take a balanced view of things, to act independently and, above all, to be true to the fundamental values in life.

A relevant question is whether we are electing 300 predominantly development executives in the name of parliamentary election? The concern is, why do a large number of politicians want to have a finger in every pie, whether local or national? The cynics say that we are, in fact, electing lean and hungry folk only to witness physically enlarged, goodly in girth, politicos in a few years time. It is time to clearly lay down the parameters for the job of lawmaker.

It may also be the time to strengthen the local government, now that we have an extended caretaker government that has, supposedly, no narrow or partisan interests. This is urgently necessary to control the ever-increasing greed and lust of less than conscientious politicians. Greater concentration of power at one point is undoubtedly bad for the political health.

Politicians will perhaps not contemplate retirement, not to speak of premature departure if, by means of legal and institutional measures, we can make life difficult for the corrupt ones. We have to ensure that such elements do not get time to relax, and are subjected to real inconveniences in displaying their ill-gotten worldly possessions. The politicians can be kept on track if statutory measures are taken to guard against their becoming unbridled promoters/distributors of favours. This is crucial to stop favour-seeking satellites from hovering around the so-called power points. The cost of being corrupt in politics has to be very high.

It is time for our society to ensure that the political scene is not dominated by people whose real sources of income cannot be ascertained. For most people, politics must not turn into a fulltime occupation, and prominence in public life should be accorded only after some positive record of public service.

The villains cannot be upstaged in our political history. A sense of propriety in public life has to be retained. Administrative and financial accountability should be considered as solemn, serious, and sacred in affairs of the state.

On the subject of retirement or otherwise from politics, we may benefit from the neighbouring West Bengal experience, where the 93-year-old veteran Jyoti Basu's counsels continue to prove salutary. It was only the other day that the West Bengal government, passing through difficult times following the multiple deaths in Nandigram, solicited Mr. Basu's intervention, and the latter succeeded in mollifying a firebrand Momota Banerjee, obviously to the relief of an exasperated establishment.

However, to reach the status of Jyoti Basu our politicians would require years of training and discipline in the political arena. In the meantime, our politicians can make themselves likeable by demonstrating integrity, moderation and maturity in public discourses.

Running the affairs of state is a solemn and grim business, where we need individuals of true grit. It was indeed pathetic to see occupiers of very high political office enjoying hugely the perks and privileges of power without feeling the burden of responsibilities. Their conspicuous consumption was a rude shock for many. The single-minded pursuit of money by the ruling elite has impoverished the mind of the nation and has also desiccated its heart.

Unless the process is reversed by well-meaning sustainable interventions, corrupt politicians may have to face unpleasantly enforced premature retirements. Wiping the dirt from the art of politics brooks no further delay.

Muhammad Nurul Huda is a DS columnist.