While going to attend a lec-ture/discussion meeting on 'the importance of free and fair election'. I was caught in a traffic jam of Dhaka city for about half an hour. People in cars, buses, rickshaws, were suffering like in hell in the scorching heat. Some people erected a big pandal on the road for observing death anniversary of a respected political leader. I thought we are really free in this country if not fair! We, can always use a public road for holding meetings, gatherings, for observing any special day and what not? Political workers do not hesitate to cause trouble for others by occupying a road and thus stopping the stream of traffic because. I think, they regard the road as such public property as can be used for any political purpose. What I do not understand is. why the political leaders allow their workers to do that? There are many places in the city where they can arrange kangali up).' as they call it. to observe a death anniversary or birthday of a popular political leader and also to hold public meetings or religious congregation. There are many orphanages. vacant plots, parks and community centres which they can use for their purposes Why on a busy road?

Is it to show the popularity of a party or Us strength? Why specially the big parties are doing this? I was discussing this with a political party leader who himself was trapped in a traffic Jam for some time He could not complain because his party also is doing the some But he shifted the responsibility Io the party workers After all It is manifestation of love and respect towards the leader What they can do!

There comes the big ques tion of leadership in our country Leaders here are not to lead but to be led Leaders here talk only those words

which they think people would love to hear, not those which would "be useful and beneficial to all. Since liberation we have been hearing the same speeches from the leaders, as if only they love the country, others do not. It is only they who would be able to do good to people, others would fail. It is only they who are honest, others are not. They seem to forget that people have seen all of them in power. When they speak about democracy in a public meeting arranged by their workers, spending a huge amount of money, they forget that they themselves also killed democracy while in power. They forget their own misdeeds and corruption. They regard the people stupid enough to believe in them.

It is true that all the parties have their own cadres and workers who for their own benefit would support the policies, activities and programmes taken by the leaders But when leaders become national leaders their outlook and thought-process should not be confined only to the benefit of their party. Political leaders are to lead the country towards betterment. At least occasionally, their thinking, their doing should be above party politics. It should throw light on the thought process of the people in general They should teach people to behave responsibly Their behaviour, their speeches should inspire people to love to work for the prosperity of the country They should teach people not to live In past but to live for a bright future They should set exam pie of responsible behaviour above partisan politics As for example. If one party does al low the workers to block any road even for a good cause others would follow for Improving their own Image It one leader Marta campaigning againsi corruption and means

it. others will have no option but to lend their hand of support.

As the general election is approaching, the leaders should think more and more of their responsibility in the democratic process and its application In every sphere of our national life. If the parties really want a free and fair election and mean business they will have to make an understanding with each other. No rigging, no force should be applied. All the parties should help the administrative machinery to make. say. the Identity cards for voters possible. If one party takes the lead and wants an election without spending money beyond limit, others will be compelled to follow it. 1 was present in Orissa. India, this year while election was going on there. I have not seen a single poster or writings on the wall or big banners of any candidaie. I have not seen any transport carrying voters to the polling booth. The voters peacefully came to cast their ballot according to their own choice. No higgling, no force, no party office full of young musclemen on the roads. If the candidates/parties decide not to spend so much money on banners, posters, graffiti and also do not want to spend money on the voters, then the effect will be what it should be. for the respective candidates But It will have to be a gentlemans commitment, commitment to establish teal democratic institutions in the country

I believe our political lead ers would be conscious to think about their own lespon sibllity towards the country and the people more than to condemn others Somebody will have to come forward and take the real leadership We hare but only one . ■'umrv -air riear motherland Hai eladesh and Bangladeshi* are reallv democratlr In mind.