The learned adviser has also blamed the media and the intellectuals for not playing due role and for non-cooperation with the government. This observation of the adviser seems to be totally out of context as the media were the prime supporters and promoters of the government since its inception and the intellectuals did not play a less important role.

Meanwhile, did the government really pay heed to media and intellectuals suggestions? Rather, their suggestions were treated cheap and thus ignored in many cases. Truly, the influential people in the government seemed more interested in being obliged to donors' suggestions, or rather prescriptions for which even the businessmen expressed frustration.

The government continues to proceed with its agenda. Ironically, however, the "public" concern of the current government seems to be falling off gradually. Perceived decline in the people's initial euphoria is, of course, indicative of such a trend where thoroughly optimistic ones are becoming increasingly fatalistic.

Real and comprehensive reform was indeed a pill that the people were more than ready to swallow no matter how bitter it was for the criminalised politicians. However, the attempt to nourish the reform sapling in the tub seems to have caused a fair amount of boredom in the people.

While crucial issues such as unabated price hike and crime rise continue to seriously hurt the people, the government efforts to combat the menaces seem to be falling short of requirements. And, closure of mills and factories and resultant joblessness has appeared to be another nagging problem for the government.

Though the government seems to have failed to gauge the accumulated effects of these, the outcomes are already unbearable for the people. Neither have these turned out to be wholesome for the government. Meanwhile, sharp rise of heinous crimes has rightly been attributed to loss of vocations of many due to indiscriminate evictions and retrenchments.

I fail to understand whether legal measures can tame the criminal threats unless there are proper rehabilitation of the displaced and jobless people. Though reform is always on the priority list of the government's agenda, other critical issues seem to have been largely overtaken by the same. Thus, the economy has already suffered badly with inflation reaching record proportions.

Meanwhile, a fear is taking root that irrational elements in the government are making the government constantly misuse its mandate. Even the ideas are being tossed up that Pakistani or Turkish models of democracy are going to be put in place in Bangladesh. The reform process, too, is being orchestrated the way the powers that be want it.

Hence, perceived political obstacles are being trapped. Floating of new political parties is, taking place despite ban on politics. Truly, the country has no dearth of sycophants and opportunists. While feigning to advance the cause of positive change, they misguide the government machinery to the greatest possible extent. It is also true that upstarts thrive in a vacuum.

No conscious citizen of the country wants the current government to fail. Admittedly, each and every patriotic citizen of the country termed the government as a blessing in disguise and showered unqualified applause on the people behind the change. And, courageous steps of the government constantly reinforced the people's expectations.

Self-examination would thus be a real help for the government instead being engaged in a meaningless blame game. Though it is not yet too late for the government, it is the government's loss of initial focus and arbitrariness that are to blame for this rather diffident state of the government that has been exuded by the law adviser which the people never wished for.

Frankly speaking, the people are not willing to hear such frustrating comments from the advisers of the government which has so far ruled the country with a strong hand. It was not even exposed to any perceived threat from any potential quarters. It only received assistance in all sectors and the crack down on the politicians continues to tighten up.

Thus, the government needs to regroup and review its work-plan. To make mistakes is not a crime but to defend and maintain those are crimes. Hopefully, the government will be able to put things in proper perspective and performs things for the greater interest of the nation and for furtherance of democracy in the country.

It bears repeating that failure of this government is expected by no patriotic citizen of the country. However, it is difficult to ascertain that the people will remain ready to share the blame of failure of the government, if so happens. We, however, keep our fingers crossed that it does not happen.

Kazi S.M. Khasrul Alam Quddusi is Assistant Professor, Department of Public Administration, University of Chittagong.