Sharp reactions from the political parties must be followed by full disclosure by those politicians who would like to be excluded from the general comment made by Dr. Yunus on money making as the main political goal. Let's get it clean once and for all, now that the motive has been brought to the open by the media. That is what chief Justice Brandeis of the US Supreme Court wrote about media exposure: "Sunshine is the best of disinfectants". The poor people of this land of ours have suffered enormously in the hands of corrupt politicians for a long time. Dr. Yunus, the champion of the poor, has rightly pointed out the curse in the society that is holding back promise of growth as outlined in the MDG by the UN.

Since people are the masters of the country and Dr. Yunus has spoken for the people, politicians must act to come out clean by disclosing their wealth. It is my belief that not many will give such disclosures.

I am a Bangladeshi and have been living in Japan for more than two decades. During this long period I encountered many Japanese from different walks of life. The overall image of the ordinary Japanese about our country is that Bangladesh is a country of flood and corruption. Every one of us knows that Bangladesh is one of the most corrupt countries in the world. Who are responsible for making this country corrupt? Are we, those living abroad, responsible for it? Or the peasants who live from hand to mouth? It is very clear that the politicians are responsible for the mess. I of course believe that there are some honest politicians. They might be honest in their personal life. They may not take any bribe but they do not complain when some members of their parties take it. Therefore they have to share the blame.

Wherever you go, you have to pay some amount of money in the name of "bokshish". I had a fixed account in central post office, Dhaka. I went to the post office to withdraw some money from my account in August, 06. The person-in-charge told me that he had no time to handle my account on that day. My brother-in-law was there with me. I authorised my account to him. He went to the post office the following day. But the same officer told him that the account holder must come, or pay some money!

The politicians should learn how to perform their job more efficiently, earning money shouldn't be their sole objective.
Mokhlesur Rahman, Fukuoka city, Japan

Many of our political leaders seem to have been very deeply offended by Dr. Yunus' statement that politics is driven by money and not ideology. This is not a new statement; newspaper columnists have said similar things for years. They have hardly bothered our politicians or deterred them from their usual way of conducting business. Now, for the first time, we see a strong response. This is likely due to the enormous influence and prestige that Dr. Yunus enjoys throughout this country. Perhaps there is an element of fear that this influence can actually impact politicians adversely.

I believe Dr. Yunus spoke for the overwhelming majority in the country. Even die-hard fans of each political party readily admit this and think of their own party as the least worst of all the options. To be fair, there are a few good politicians who are driven by the mission of public service; but they are few and far between and one has to look hard to find more than a handful in important decision-making positions in the past elected governments. Who can deny with a straight face that the vast majority of politicians, including those who had important decision making portfolios in the past governments fit Dr. Yunus' characterization quite well. Who can deny the takeover of student factions of each party by the few corrupt individuals looking to get a cut?

Turning to the subject of ideology, I would like to ask: what kind of ideological mooring does a party have that is willing to sacrifice its secular credentials to make a deal with bigots just to get to power? What is the ideology that drives the two major parties to court a corrupt former despot, reportedly with large sums of money? There are numerous examples reported in newspapers. Suffering during the liberation war, pointed out by a politician, is not unique to them; many common people in the country suffered similar fates. In any case, personal sufferings do not entitle anyone to a proprietary attitude towards the country.

It is true that corruption is by no means limited to politicians only. It has affected all sections of the society. However, if we are to move to a better future, it is imperative that focus should be on those who control policies. Political leaders of the major parties need to look themselves in the mirror, instead of trying to deflect criticism elsewhere. Their criticism of Grameen interest rates holds no water since it is well known that this institution is self-reliant and owned by the borrowers themselves.

The best thing that can come out of this episode, I hope, is that the major political parties are so offended by Dr. Yunus' characterization that they will stop giving nominations to the most corrupt politicians and thugs in the coming elections.
Saleh Ahmed Tanveer, Professor of Mathematics, The Ohio State University.Columbus, Ohio

I fully support Prof. Yunus' statement on the Bangladeshi politicians' greed for power to make money. People of Bangladesh also have the same view. I find the BNP and the AL have at last agreed to join hands to give statements against Prof. Yunus.

Prof. Yunus has done the impossible! I heartily congratulate him. He should continue hitting them with more and more truths to bring them closer.

Why are the politicians angry at Prof. Yunus' statement? After all if someone says, "People of Bangladesh are poor", no one says a word against it though there are many rich people in Bangladesh. Nobody raises a finger if someone states, "People of Bangladesh are malnourished", though there are many overfed and bloated people in this country.

When it is an accepted fact that the overwhelming majority of politicians work only for money, I find absolutely nothing wrong in Prof. Yunus' very well thought out remarks. It will only help the few honest ones in politics gather moral courage to fight against the corrupt.
Shahjahan Hafiz, Gulshan, Dhaka

Nobel laureate and banker to the poor Professor Yunus made some pointed comments about our politicians to an international news agency recently. He basically said our politicians are there only for making money. This basically reflects what majority of the people thinks about them and obviously they appreciated the professor for being so outright. Unfortunately, it hurt the sentiments of the politicians and both the major party general secretaries found it unacceptable, regrettable and his negative attitude towards politics as a whole worries them.

But ask the people on the street, they will agree with the professor. After reading all the inside stories of how the nomination for the cancelled election were sold and bought by political parties, you can't blame the people for thinking that way.

There may be very few honest politicians but they are totally devoured by the dirt we call power politics. They are so insignificant that they make no difference in the bigger picture of decision making, otherwise we won't be having a system called 'caretaker government' every 5 years, nor such a mess as we recently had with the past chief adviser and his advisers. Anyway, if the morning shows the day then the present group of advisers seems to be on the right track and forging ahead towards ensuring a stable system for the election process to be free, fair and credible so that whoever wants can participate in it and doesn't need to have black money or hordes of mastans to be the campaigners.

The nation can't afford to waste time every 5 years and in between to come up with a system so that the transfer of power takes place transparently, peacefully and democratically. Now there is an opportunity to get the system corrected. I think the people are ready to allow the present chief adviser and his colleagues the time and space to come up with 1.) An independent Election Commission (just like the caretaker advisers are formed with neutral people). 2.) A national identity card system and an accurate voter list. 3.) Thus ensuring a system for a free, fair and credible election to be held every 5 years to elect a new government. Professor Yunus, keep on sailing!
Akku Chowdhury, Banani, Dhaka

As reported in your daily on 20 Jan. 07, for the honest and upright comment by Noble laureate Prof. Yunus, Mr. Bhuiyan and Mr. Jalil poured in all sorts of derogatory remarks.

Almost all the politicians in Bangladesh, who have amassed wealth by corrupt means, entered politics to acquire power and money and there are many criminals and murderers amongst them. Our political leaders should think twice before criticising people who are known to be honest and efficient.
M A Gafur Howlader, London

Prof. Yunus' comment on the money-making propensity of Bangladeshi politicians has evoked a sharp reaction from the major political parties. Prof. Yunus' remark "Bangladesh's politicians are in politics only for money" was no doubt a sweeping one. But can anyone deny that most of the politicians are propelled by the intention of making money alone? Did the so called honest politicians ever raise their voice against the corrupt majority?

We are happy that the politicians have been removed from the dictating position, but we are worried about the future of our country.
Sharif Ahmad, Advocate, Dhaka