The people deserve better

WE the people of Bangladesh feel proud of President Abdul Hamid because of the mode of his election to the presidency. His uncontested election to the highest constitutional office was acceptable to all including the opposition. He was elected to the office of the president by the Ninth Parliament which was constituted through a widely acclaimed parliamentary polls held in December 2008. So, he is now the lone individual who has assumed a constitutional office without any controversy over his election. The present parliament, the prime minister and ministers can in no way claim similar honour because they are the products of a controversial and voter-less parliamentary election. Therefore, it will not be an exaggeration to say that it is only President Hamid who is now the lone but true representative of the people. And it will not unusual for people to expect him to do something for them and to speak for them. The present situation in the country has further enhanced people's expectations from him.
President Abdul Hamid, who has a long political career and deep link with grassroots people, seems to have opted for silence about the prevailing situation. His latest remarks, however, are very interesting. He has completed one year in Bangabhaban on April 23. On that occasion he talked to some selected journalists attached to the Bangabhaban, on April 26. According to a news report run by BSS, Hamid has said that the regulated and relatively secluded life of Bangabhaban has not always been 'pleasurable' as it debarred him from the usual socialization with people at the grassroots. "I don't feel good here, whatever good food you give to a caged bird, the feeling would not be like a bird in the wild. In fact, I find no personal or private life here."
The President has also spoken about his long political career, previous relation with grassroots people and his experiences as the Speaker. However, going through the BSS report it is difficult to find any word he has said about the current situation and about people's anxiety. He did not say anything about his plans to do something in the coming days. He has just expressed his personal feelings. But people want to hear from him something substantive from which they can take heart and feel that their president is speaking for them. Deterioration in law and order including unabated abduction and forced disappearances has put people in a state of anxiety. The President did not speak about it. We do not know whether he has advised the government to take necessary measures to ensure people's security. Instead, what he said about his life at Bangabhaban does very little to cheer the people up.
In his first year in office, people had expected the President to play a role in overcoming the political crisis centring on the last parliamentary election. The BNP-led opposition alliance leaders under leadership of Khaleda Zia and some civil society members had met him and requested him to take steps to overcome the political deadlock. The CEC and his colleagues had also met him and requested him to take steps to ensure participation of all the political parties in the parliamentary polls. But he did nothing to bring to bear the weight of the president's office to address the situation. The results were not good for the country. We had to witness a controversial and voter less parliamentary election held amid a boycott by the BNP-led alliance. We have a unique parliament which is without a genuine opposition. And it is impossible for us to expect that this current parliament will function effectively to ensure good governance and welfare of the people.
We all know the President's constitutional limitations. He has no executive power. In the parliamentary form of the government, the real executive power is with the prime minister and the cabinet. Yet, none can bar the president's office to do something for the betterment of the people and to speak for their welfare. As the president, Abdul Hamid is head of the State and he takes precedence over all other persons in Bangladesh. Many people term the president as custodian of the State. Analysing the constitutional provisions on the president's powers and functions, constitutional expert and former attorney general Mahmudul Islam in his book titled "Constitutional Law of Bangladesh" writes that the president is entitled to be informed by the prime minister on matters of domestic and foreign matters. The constitution empowers him to request the prime minister to submit any matter for the consideration of the cabinet. A man of high stature, integrity and experience holding the office of the President can exert great influence on the executive government by way of advice and counseling and play a great role in building a bridge between the government and the opposition, writes the former attorney general.
The people of Bangladesh are looking at a future that remains uncertain. As a seasoned politician, the President knows only too well what he should do for his people who deserve much better than what they have got.
 

The writer is Sr. Reporter, The Daily Star.