One thing, however, has to be taken care of. For long term benefits for a good and functioning democratic system a scenario with 2-3 political parties with a country-wide base is desirable and only two parties presently meet this requirement.

It may not be ultimately good for the country and democracy if the two major parties are splintered in numerous factions. This will weaken the state power enabling outside forces to intervene in our internal affairs to serve their own interests at our cost.

What would be most desirable at this critical juncture is to encourage and enable new & young leadership of enlightened minds and untainted track records to take over the helms of the existing major political parties.

In this context, the expressed desire of the son of the AL president to join active politics needs to be encouraged and assisted. No other existing leader -- pro-reform or otherwise -- has the credibility or charisma to hold on the various factions and groups together. We may recall the incident of the first cabinet meeting of the then AL government immediately after the liberation of the country from Pakistani occupation. At that time there were political stalwarts like Tajuddin Ahmed, Syed Nazrul Islam, Mansur Ali and others. But, no consensus could be reached as to who would preside over the cabinet meeting. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was yet to return from his captivity in West Pakistan. After much deliberations, an elderly gentleman who happened to be an uncle of Bangabandhu was invited to preside over a tea party to be attended by the then cabinet members. So, in the guise of the said tea party, important affairs of the state were deliberated and decided upon. (Ref: The Legacy of Blood).

The same is true for the other major party, BNP. After the gruesome assassination of the popular leader Ziaur Rahman who had earned a name for honesty and austere lifestyle, his widow who was essentially a housewife had to be brought in to hold the party together, though there were a number of experienced leaders with proven track records.

All the current efforts to float a new political party with clean (?) people will meet the same fate like that met by Dr. Kamal Hossain, Dr. Badrudduza Chowdhury and lately by Noble Laureate Dr. Yunus.

All these have something to do with our oriental culture and mind-set unlikely to be changed in the foreseeable future.

If Mr. Sajib Wajed Joy takes over the leadership of the Awami League, it will be so much good for the party and the country. Similarly, if one of the brothers of late Ziaur Rahman is encouraged to take over the leadership of the BNP, then this party will also be saved from splitting and heading for oblivion.

In my humble opinion, the much talked about "Minus two theory" has to be implemented at any cost. Because keeping these two venerable ladies (under whose leadership we have become the world's most corrupt nation and seen a laissez faire competition of corruption, looting & plundering of public wealth and destruction of the state's institutions) or, any one of them in the scene will neither bring the desired changes in politics nor in governance.