Idea of Second Chamber merits attention

Sir. First of all I take the opportunity to thank The Daily Star for the supplement on S M Ali ( 5 December ’95). its founder-editor. Not only The Dally Star misses him but an humble reader like me misses him equally. How enlightening is his writings reprinted, which even in the present complex political situation gives the clue to solution.

Dealing with hartals and agitation by socio-economic groups, he lent the view for an alternative. If democracy is the basis of governance then every region and nation has to evolve it on its own perspective. No models are fool-proof and for all times either. No democratic models are alike in two countries. Whether a parliamentary or presidential form, whether a country is

unitary or federal, democracy In its essence must contain the hopes and aspirations of all sections of people.

So the idea of a Second Chamber merits urgent attention. Had there been a 'senate' or upper house' of the parliament comprising businessmen. intellectuals and all professionals then.the present crisis could have been averted. The upper house' members would have constitutionally constituted the interim government to conduct general elections. But the more important part would have been the participation of the socio-economic groups in policy making. This would bring in the necessary social change and transparency in administration.

May I echo the thoughts of S M Ali and other social thinkers to make provision for a change accommodating social participation in the running of the state? This partici -

pation is wide ranging from law making, policy matters and management and from the highest to the lowest strata of the state and society. So the idea of 'second chamber' needs to be made constitutionally effective and I hope the sixth parliament would take up the issue with all urgency.

Dr M Rashid Ahmed Consultant. District Sadar Hospital. Mouluibazar

New political party

Sir, Newspaper reports reveal that a new political party would be floated soon and is likely to be headed by FBCCI President Mr Salman F Rah man. This is a welcome news to many specially on the backdrop of miserable failure of our celebrated leaders popularly known as Jana Netri and Desh Netri. It is a misfortune for the nation to have witnessed a thoroughly hostile

attitude by the Jana Netri. who at the very outset and soon after the formation of Cabinet by BNP about 4 years and 8 months back said that she would not allow the government to resi in peace even for a day.

Subsequent events conclusively show that she had very diligently pursued the policy to achieve that end People have not only suffered great frustration in the political deadlock but also economy of the country experienced a great setback, which is likely to continue unless there is a change in the trepd. May be due to non-cooperation by the opposition. BNP failed utterly In running the state show. As ■such people would of course, welcome a new leadership, since they are fed up with those who ruled the country for the last quarter of a century.

F M Rahman

14 Uttara. Dhaka