Murky politics

The Jamaat factor has enraged the BNP leadership. The chairperson has to come out openly to ask for resignation of the full set of the EC bosses. She has also cast doubt about the neutrality of the CTG. It is very evident now how much inter-dependent the BNP and the Jamaat are politically. The BNP is fully dependent on the grassroots strength of the Jamaat, and the Jamaat is fully dependent on the BNP for their political survival.
The sudden and open reaction of the chairperson against the EC and the CTG was nothing but putting pressure on the EC and the CTG, so that the Jamaat could be registered without any delay. The other strategy is to help postpone the election by at least 2-3 months, so that the full force of the BNP can be re-established to win the forthcoming election(?). The PDP chairperson is also echoing the same sentiment of postponement of election for 3 months. He also represents certain powerful voices including the so called "civil society" The AL is asking for election on 18th of Dec. 2008, since they are more organised to go for the polls now when the BNP and the Jamaat are still facing some trouble to settle down and go ahead.
Mr Ban Ki-moon was in Dhaka at the invitation of our CA. He was already talking about a political dialogue between the two major political parties. The role of the UNDP representative in Bangladesh is not clear. We do not know what she actually believes in-- democracy or guided democracy? On the other hand, it is interesting to watch the prime role of the judiciary in shaping the political future of Bangladesh. This situation is forcing us to think seriously how important it is to have the highest court free from political pressure.