Reforms and election
The political history of the South Asian subcontinent is fairly old and eventful. In fact, formal organisational politics in South Asia started with the formation of the Indian Congress in 1885. The Muslims of India emerged as a separate political entity with the formation of Muslim League about a hundred years back. It is, indeed, a shame for our politicians that we failed to provide truly democratic politics to our people despite having a long political past. The political bankruptcy that we now encounter is the legacy of negligence, disregard, and the feudalistic attitude of our leaders over the years.
The major political parties BNP and AL have now reached a critical juncture, where their future seems bleak because of the people's disenchantment with the high-handedness of their leaders. Although both these parties had been able to steer away from unmanageable political crises in the past, it seems quite an uphill task this time around, as our people want to see the political parties bring about some qualitative change in the political culture.
There have been a few changes of the guard since August 1975, and people have settled down with the change. But this time insularity ruled the roost in the political landscape, which gave way to violence that threatened to snowball into civil strife had not the government proclaimed state of emergency on January 11.
The situation after the caretaker government under Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed took over and promised holding of free and fare election on a level playing field is gradually settling down after a few initial lightning acts to assure the people that "zero tolerance" would be shown towards perpetrators of activities considered derogatory to the people's interest and country's security concerns.
In a unique demonstration of resolution to stamp out corruption and abuse of power, the CTG has arrested the top suspects, including two former prime ministers, which is a rare example. People at large heaved a sigh of relief and regained the lost hope of a democracy which would be of the people, by the people and for the people.
So one could say that 1/11 came in response to the people's clamouring for halting of the gross mismanagement of affairs of state, which almost led us to the brink of civil war. Thanks to the CTG which came to power on people's demand, and certainly not to implement a blueprint of an interest group.
Skepticism about holding of the national election on January 22, loss of confidence of major political parties in the Election Commission's sincerity to hold the election fairly, formation of a CTG with people having partisan outlook, and that too headed by the president of the republic (which was rejected outright by AL and a few minor parties), and corruption and abuse of power are a few of the reasons that led to destabilisation of the peace and harmony of the people.
Since AL, one of the major parties, resolved not to participate in the election under the then CTG and EC, and BNP insisted on seeing that election was held under them, the parties locked horns.
The chief adviser of the CTG at that time (Dr. Iajuddin, the president, nominated by the BNP) failed to respond to the demand of the time, which was for a new chief adviser and for the CEC to resign, which made the political imbroglio even more complex. Most people waited eagerly and expectantly for the armed forces to intervene and save the nation from the near collapse of law and order and sliding economy.
Assessing the mood of the people, Dr. Iajuddin decided step down as the chief of CTG and sought armed forces help to impose a state of emergency, to which call our patriotic forces responded positively and a new CTG was formed with Dr. Fakhruddin at its helm.
A lot of criticism is being heard in the TV talk shows, and written in the newspapers, about the performance of the CTG, especially its involvement in areas that were not related to holding of free and fair election. The CTG took over with the promise of holding a free election, and removing any impediments to that, so that we could say that the election was indeed a fair one. Corruption, abuse of power, undemocratic practices in the political parties, their strong arm policy, kleptocracy, and "familiocracy" (if you like) were the practice of the trade. Once the CTG started to act to correct these criticism increased. Why so much criticism by a handful of political people? Well, the answer is not inconceivable.
Three elections were held under CTGs, but whoever lost the election alleged that it was rigged. It is true that 100% transparency and neutrality could not be maintained, but the elections were largely acceptable. In a developing country like ours, because of socio-economic situations and age old political practices, there can be some mistakes and a certain degree of partisanship. In most of the democratic countries, elections are held at the end of a fixed tenure by a CTG formed by the same government.
One could ask why we have to have a CTG formed by people other than those who were in the immediate past government? Therefore, it is not difficult to understand that there must be some lacunae in our brand of democracy, and till they are removed we cannot expect to see a truly free and fair election. Even though the governments were elected democratically since 1990, they failed to ensure good governance, a certain level of development, tolerance toward the opposition, and welfare of the people. BNP and AL who were in the government or in the opposition in the last fifteen years put party above nation and propelled a personality cult.
The other damaging element of 15 years of misrule bred the belief that regime security was more important than state security, in other words the intelligence apparatus of the state was employed for political party's interest. So state security was relegated, which enabled the political leaders to commit all sorts of immoral and undemocratic acts with impunity. Political pundits think that a great opportunity was lost after the fall of Ershad to repair the damaged democracy.
Democracy means good governance. Abuse of power, oppression of the opposition and corruption are contrary to good governance. Our top position in the list of most corrupt nations in the world for five consecutive years brought us immense shame. I feel our concern to stamp out corruption should receive priority over holding election. Even the election process was corrupted to a large extent, so unless corruption is removed even the election will not show the true desire of the voters.
We should admit that CTG has planned its priority of actions wisely and engaged itself with commitment to gradually cleanse the society and state apparatus of corruption and abuse of power. Those who amassed huge fortune by plundering state wealth are opposing reforms of any sort, fearing that if reforms were brought about then they would be dispatched into oblivion. One of the reasons for deviating from the path of democracy is that undemocratic corporate bosses had been allowed to join politics in large numbers and became beneficiaries of the party and they, in their turn, gratified those who doled out favours to them.
It is imperative that political parties tailor-make their parties' policies and "modus operandi" to evoke trust and confidence of the people. Now that most of the top notch politicians have been exposed and the futility of an undemocratic party constitution understood, there is the need for democratic party constitutions. We should get rid of ill motivated politicians and, at the same time, plug the possible holes to prevent corruption in EC, PSC, ACC, and judiciary.
Some of the politicians who believe that major reforms are necessary got together and declared their resolve to work for reform before next election so that only those politicians who are committed to the welfare of the country and the people remain in politics. While the nation should have felt elated at the prospect of some positive reform taking place, the reformists received resistance from the beneficiaries of the past governments. These people even castigated the proponents of reforms. What a shame for the nation!
There is no denying that whenever reforms are talked about one would assume that it is primarily the reform of the political culture and character of the politicians. BNP and AL are the two largest parties, and were in the government and in opposition, so naturally one would expect them to start the reforms. While AL leadership was amenable to reforms, BNP showed total disinterest, fearing a backlash. I wonder why one would miss an opportunity to change oneself, even if the past has been shoddy. Let us not forget that confession helps to redeem sin.
While arrogance is a dampener in carrying out reform for a better future for all, a weak approach is meaningless and a non-starter. So one should not wait to see a rapprochement of sorts between the reformers and the beneficiaries of the past politics. The aim of reforms is to right the wrongs that made our future bleak. If there is convergence of reform initiatives among political parties or government, that should not be taken as marriage of interest but a wedding for reforms for a better future of our nation. It will not be a remote possibility if we work with unremitting commitment.
The government and political parties should put their acts together to get the people to rise above all kinds of partisanship to give our nation a democracy in the true sense of the term. This is possible by electing politicians who are ready to dedicate themselves to the cause of people's welfare through holding a free and fair election for which the CTG has made a solemn commitment to the nation.
Z.A. Khan is a retired senior army officer and BNP activist.
Comments