Expectations for change in the political system and culture
Democracy and good governance are not pies that fall freely from the sky. The same must be worked at painstakingly to come truly into existence. But first of all the leaders of major political parties must appreciate the need to control their egotistical selves and agree to
submit to substantial reforms in the political system and culture, specially in their own party organizations
Enamul Haque
The immediate past caretaker government is criticized not unfairly for many of its transparent failures : the inability to conduct the anticorruption campaign neatly and effectively, for excesses committed against individuals-- violating their fundamental rights-- while carrying out the drive against corruption, for not doing enough to leave vital state institutions in deep cleansed conditions, etc.
But that government, undoubtedly, also lifted expectations of the people to a very high degree. Whether the same have been fulfilled by them when they were on charge is another issue. But the expectations created by the caretakers when they took over that they would work for a new beginning in the countrys life, particularly its political life, initially received widespread and enthusiastic public support.
However, the activities of the caretakers disillusioned the people in the longer run. But it cannot be said that this disillusionment about the caretakers meant approval either of the old order practiced by the political parties . People remain eager, as always, for the political culture in Bangladesh to change because the politicians are at the helm in steering the country and till they are reformed, the governance of the country specially economic governance, wont change for the better.
Thus, the developments in the political sphere continue to be keenly watched since the transition afresh to an elected and representative government. People have been observing what steps the
political parties, particularly their leaders, take in the interests of peoples expectations. People have been interested to know whether the parties have gone through any changes in their mind sets, whether there are genuinely any drivers in them for their inner democratisation or reforms
and whether the reformists are getting a good hearing from their party comarades
at large.
It seems not. For both the major political parties held their long overdue council sessions after the exit of the last caretaker government . It was thought that the desire for democratisation and reforms of the parties would be ascendant at these events. But such hopes were frustrated as in the council sessions of both parties only undemocratic instincts seemed to prevail over the reformists. In fact, the reformist quarters or voices were allegedly all but wiped out in these sessions.
The ruling Awami League (AL) was the first to hold its council session. But from it the present Prime Minister and leader of the party, Sheikh Hasina, emerged only the stronger. The reformists were only further humbled with their influence coming nearer to zero point after this grand assemblage of the Awami Leaguers.
The council session of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) that followed was an even worse disappointment. The councilors elected the BNPs present chairperson for life and gave her complete authority to nominate individuals completely at her discretion to all important party positions.
One of the first acts from this council session was to select the chairpersons
son-- who was tainted with the worst corruption charges and for lack of integrity that has had a direct impact on the election debacle of the party -- as the second most important position in the BNP as first vice-chairman.
The move was seen as the complete unconcern of the partys supreme leader about marginalizing individuals who have been at the root of its downfall and to resume the journey with a clean slate. Indeed, the move could be interpreted only as smoothening the way for dynastic rule mother after father and son after mother.
But how can such developments be welcomed in the interest of democracy and good governance in Bangladesh ? Again and again it was proved that the greatest misfortune of Bangladesh has been its inability to usher in real democracy to be characterised by the political parties cleaning their own stables to allow for upward movement to leadership positions in them by individual possessing true merit, high qualities of leadership and integrity of character and such a process not to be affected by dictatorial ambitions or claims of family pedigree and cult.
There are also many other issues to be addressed in the political system such as the mindless abstention from parliament, calling economy detrimental hartals, the lack of a bipartisan approach to vital or core national issues, etc. But it is a tragedy that the politicians in this country are yet to mature to a state to take really dedicated inclusive measure for the solid establishment of these values or norms in the political system.
As it is some political observers have described all governments since the fall of the so called autocratic regime towards the end of the eighties as nothing but elected dictatorships in varying degrees. In all fairness, can they be blamed for overstatements ?
Thus, the glass remains possibly only one third of it full and the rest empty. Bangladeshs democratic journey remains only partly fulfilled and this is the biggest challenge before it.
The writer is a journalist and contributor to theindependent
