A strong opposition needed

Bangladesh needs a strong opposition which the country presently lacks. BNP could play a role of an alternative party in the power play of Bangladesh

"A strong democracy needs a strong opposition"; "absolute power corrupts absolutely", and "without check and balance a democracy cannot function properly"- these are not my words, different political philosophers said these at different times. There are other theories also. In the mid 50's some political pundits said that a developing country needs a strong government rather than a strong opposition. The military ruler of Pakistan General Ayub Khan tried to translate this theory in reality. His state policy was development rather than democracy. In reality, he killed democracy but could not sustain his development for a long period. His decade of development crushed unceremoniously. It was proved that for lasting development a developing country needs strong democracy. That democracy should be based on two strong parties-one in power and the other in the opposition. After the division of India two countries India and Pakistan achieved independence on the basis of western democracy. Later on when Bangladesh became independent it also promised to follow the pattern of western democracy with a mixture of socialism. Unfortunately, these three countries seldom enjoy a strong opposition in the legislature. India remained faithful to democratic rules whenever there was an election in that country. The defeated party accepted the defeat gracefully and power was transferred peacefully. But in Pakistan an opposition in the parliament or politics was never tolerated. There was never a no-confidence motion in the parliament that had had toppled the government. Neither elected nor military government had ever tolerated a healthy opposition in the country. Government was toppled by outside conspiracy or killing. The first Prime Minister of Pakistan, Liaqut Ali Khan, strongly opposed the formation of an opposition under the leadership of Shaheed Suhrawardy and called them traitors and enemy of Pakistan. But he was killed and his government was overthrown not by his political opponents but by a military coup detat.  

The next two Prime Ministers Khwaza Nazimuddin and Saheed Suhrawardy were sacked by the military-backed two Heads of the State, and another Prime Minister Feroz Khan Noon was also overthrown by military uprising.

Nawaz Sharif, who was prime minister of Pakistan till last Friday was ousted from power in the past by military and on last Friday he had to resign because a court verdict went against him declaring him unfit for premiership. He was accused of corruption and abuse of power. Nawaz Sharif also did not allow to grow a democratic opposition in his country. He had no respect for the judiciary and heckled a Chief justice for his independent stand. There is a long history of conflict between the judiciary and executive part of the government, during Nawaz Sharif's first term of government. Some political observers of Pakistan believe that the Higher Court's verdict against Nawaz Sharif may be somewhat motivated by revenge. The politics of Pakistan almost always has been dominated by military-mosque-judiciary alliance. Sometimes, with western pressure election was held in Pakistan, but democracy could never function properly there. If a proper democracy could function in Pakistan and democratic opposition could be tolerated, Pakistan would not be devastated by the intrigues and conspiracies and the country could not be taken over by extreme violent religious fanatics.

In this respect Bangladesh is comparatively a fortunate country. Though the father of the nation was murdered with his associates and family members and there were also numerous military uprisings, and the rise of dictators but the country at last has returned to democratic practice and the democratic politics seems to be somewhat stabilized. Unfortunately a two-party system could not develop in the country and the parliament could not get a strong opposition. Though present Hasina government is adhering to the principles of the democratic rules, but in absence of a strong opposition, the democracy could not walk properly because it is walking on one leg and the other leg is absent. Though there is rapid economic development and a strong government has freed the country from political instability, the absolute power of a governing body tends towards increasing corruption and abuse of power.

Bangladesh needs a strong opposition which the country presently lacks. BNP could play a role of an alternative party in the power play of Bangladesh, but they are born in cantonment and from the beginning of their formation they have engaged in politics of conspiracy. They have no allegiance to the ideals of liberation war, and they joined hands with the enemy of independence and religious extremism which created a great hindrance to healthy, democratic opposition. Without power BNP do not want to sit in the parliament and when in power they did not allow Awami League to play the role of a powerful opposition. If BNP wins, only then it is a free and free election, but if they are defeated then it is not fair. They indulge in conspiracy and terrorism to grab the power.

Our elite class and a substantial part of the intelligentsia, who profess they believe in democracy and secularism, in practice they have proved to play a second fiddle to a political alliance whose policy is based on the policy of communalism and fundamentalism. Dr. Kamal Hussain or Dr. Yunus could provide the country with the formation of a strong democratic alternative. They did not go for that. Their politics is based on personal vendetta. They want to oust Awami League and Sheikh Hasina from power without creating a democratic alternative which would adhere to the principles of the ideals of the liberation war, but whose political programme would be different and fairer than Awami League's program and policy. But they failed to fulfil the aspirations of the people of Bangladesh.

The next General election of Bangladesh is coming soon. But no democratic opposition is forming so that the people can have a second choice other than Awami League. If the frustrated voters put their protest votes in BNP's box then a devastation could not be avoided. The political alliance who does not believe in democracy, and secularism and is a known opponent of all the known ideals of liberation war, if they come to power it will destroy the democratic future of the country for a long time. Bangladesh needs a strong opposition, but a democratic one. Awami League also needs a healthy and democratic opposition. The people of Bangladesh also need a patriotic and democratic alternative of Awami League. Can BNP reform and free themselves from the grasp of conspiratorial leadership and become an alternative to Awami League? Perhaps the next election will settle this question.

     London, 28 July Friday, 2017

 

 

 

 

 

A strong opposition needed

Bangladesh needs a strong opposition which the country presently lacks. BNP could play a role of an alternative party in the power play of Bangladesh

A strong democracy needs a strong opposition; absolute power corrupts absolutely, and without check and balance a democracy cannot function properly- these are not my words, different political philosophers said these at different times. There are other theories also. In the mid 50s some political pundits said that a developing country needs a strong government rather than a strong opposition. The military ruler of Pakistan General Ayub Khan tried to translate this theory in reality. His state policy was development rather than democracy. In reality, he killed democracy but could not sustain his development for a long period. His decade of development crushed unceremoniously. It was proved that for lasting development a developing country needs strong democracy. That democracy should be based on two strong parties-one in power and the other in the opposition. After the division of India two countries India and Pakistan achieved independence on the basis of western democracy. Later on when Bangladesh became independent it also promised to follow the pattern of western democracy with a mixture of socialism. Unfortunately, these three countries seldom enjoy a strong opposition in the legislature. India remained faithful to democratic rules whenever there was an election in that country. The defeated party accepted the defeat gracefully and power was transferred peacefully. But in Pakistan an opposition in the parliament or politics was never tolerated. There was never a no-confidence motion in the parliament that had had toppled the government. Neither elected nor military government had ever tolerated a healthy opposition in the country. Government was toppled by outside conspiracy or killing. The first Prime Minister of Pakistan, Liaqut Ali Khan, strongly opposed the formation of an opposition under the leadership of Shaheed Suhrawardy and called them traitors and enemy of Pakistan. But he was killed and his government was overthrown not by his political opponents but by a military coup detat. The next two Prime Ministers Khwaza Nazimuddin and Saheed Suhrawardy were sacked by the military-backed two Heads of the State, and another Prime Minister Feroz Khan Noon was also overthrown by military uprising. Nawaz Sharif, who was prime minister of Pakistan till last Friday was ousted from power in the past by military and on last Friday he had to resign because a court verdict went against him declaring him unfit for premiership. He was accused of corruption and abuse of power. Nawaz Sharif also did not allow to grow a democratic opposition in his country. He had no respect for the judiciary and heckled a Chief justice for his independent stand. There is a long history of conflict between the judiciary and executive part of the government, during Nawaz Sharifs first term of government. Some political observers of Pakistan believe that the Higher Courts verdict against Nawaz Sharif may be somewhat motivated by revenge. The politics of Pakistan almost always has been dominated by military-mosque-judiciary alliance. Sometimes, with western pressure election was held in Pakistan, but democracy could never function properly there. If a proper democracy could function in Pakistan and democratic opposition could be tolerated, Pakistan would not be devastated by the intrigues and conspiracies and the country could not be taken over by extreme violent religious fanatics. In this respect Bangladesh is comparatively a fortunate country. Though the father of the nation was murdered with his associates and family members and there were also numerous military uprisings, and the rise of dictators but the country at last has returned to democratic practice and the democratic politics seems to be somewhat stabilized. Unfortunately a two-party system could not develop in the country and the parliament could not get a strong opposition. Though present Hasina government is adhering to the principles of the democratic rules, but in absence of a strong opposition, the democracy could not walk properly because it is walking on one leg and the other leg is absent. Though there is rapid economic development and a strong government has freed the country from political instability, the absolute power of a governing body tends towards increasing corruption and abuse of power. Bangladesh needs a strong opposition which the country presently lacks. BNP could play a role of an alternative party in the power play of Bangladesh, but they are born in cantonment and from the beginning of their formation they have engaged in politics of conspiracy. They have no allegiance to the ideals of liberation war, and they joined hands with the enemy of independence and religious extremism which created a great hindrance to healthy, democratic opposition. Without power BNP do not want to sit in the parliament and when in power they did not allow Awami League to play the role of a powerful opposition. If BNP wins, only then it is a free and free election, but if they are defeated then it is not fair. They indulge in conspiracy and terrorism to grab the power. Our elite class and a substantial part of the intelligentsia, who profess they believe in democracy and secularism, in practice they have proved to play a second fiddle to a political alliance whose policy is based on the policy of communalism and fundamentalism. Dr. Kamal Hussain or Dr. Yunus could provide the country with the formation of a strong democratic alternative. They did not go for that. Their politics is based on personal vendetta. They want to oust Awami League and Sheikh Hasina from power without creating a democratic alternative which would adhere to the principles of the ideals of the liberation war, but whose political programme would be different and fairer than Awami Leagues program and policy. But they failed to fulfil the aspirations of the people of Bangladesh. The next General election of Bangladesh is coming soon. But no democratic opposition is forming so that the people can have a second choice other than Awami League. If the frustrated voters put their protest votes in BNPs box then a devastation could not be avoided. The political alliance who does not believe in democracy, and secularism and is a known opponent of all the known ideals of liberation war, if they come to power it will destroy the democratic future of the country for a long time. Bangladesh needs a strong opposition, but a democratic one. Awami League also needs a healthy and democratic opposition. The people of Bangladesh also need a patriotic and democratic alternative of Awami League. Can BNP reform and free themselves from the grasp of conspiratorial leadership and become an alternative to Awami League? Perhaps the next election will settle this question. London, 28 July Friday, 2017