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OPINION

For a 5-year Caretaker Government

Shihab Burhan
Some experts think that the present sluggish economy and depressed demand are the result of lagged effect of the disruption of economic activities caused by hartals and blockades called and organised by Awami League in 1994and 1995. Their mode of unruly conduct of politics in order to grab power or even to put the opposition, the then Government of BNP. at disadvantageous position, has boomeranged. They are the victim of their mostly own doing. I curiously observe, the present opposition, the BNP Is shining their swords to tread a similar Kth. They are always lurking any mis-steps taken by the present Awami League Government. We have already observed BNP calling for strike^ gheraps ; and bandhs on grounds pot apparently justifiable, in the eyes of responsible citizens. Rumours are galore that the opposition BNP would leave no stone unturned and resort to any tactics to undermine the present Awami League Government to make them inoperative. As I discern, the reasons for their disruptive movements, like those of Awami League in the time of BNP Government, do not originate from their love for the people and the country. The main alm of BNP is to take revenge on Awami League. Ut-terings of their front leaders indicate that they would not care, even if in the process, the economy and law and order situation deteriorate and sufferings of the common people heighten
1 am not a politician. However. I have keenly observed events During any conversation in Bangladesh the subject of politics recurs most. However, I try to dissuade myself from discussing politics or blaming this or that party. I cite the ground that when I cannot do my own Job as efficiently as
expected, how can I criticise others, particularly politicians?. I do not mind to be blamed as an escapist. But it is the great anguish that has been aching my heart for some time which has prompted me to write this piece.
From the scenario just depicted. I come to the conclusions that in Bangladesh, the opposition will resort to any tactics, no matter how heinous they are. to bring down the Government. and that their aim is not bring about peace and prosperity to the people; their aim is to grab power even at the cost of great miseries of the majority of the people.
People do not (support strikes, processions, blockades? Everybody! knows, these art enforced by party activists' or even mastaans. I beseech to the considerate, right-thinking citizens of Bangladesh to come forward and tell the political parties on the face that we no more want strikes, blockades or any human-created impediments that hamper conduct of normal life and economic activities. Let the party in POSI-, "HON and that in OPPOSITION realise that, between them, there is a third indomitable force : the silent majority. I invoke their wrath to befall on the politicians and political parties so that they come to rude awakening that the political parties, be they in position or (^position, shall not be allowed to bring ruin to the people in the name of people's interest". We want a democracy sans bad politicians. Ours is poor country. We do not want to incur a single man-minute loss of productive activities.
I have a suggestion to make in this regard. The politician; i and political parties shouli have a training session or go to
a recess to acquire knowledge to become: qualified politicians who wi ll dedicate themselves to the cau se of the people to attract their v ites and assume power to form a Government, rather than r esort to anti-people activities a iidgrab power by hook or crook. This training session should be rather long during which, they will fortify their character by abstaining from real politics and learn from reading, associating with people and drawing from other coui -dries' experiences. I have in mln <1 a 5-year session This Is not too long considering the Imr tortance of the subject. Who will be in the Government during the 5-year period? My an-sw er lg ; (he caretaker govern-menf. As such I propose that the "next care taker Government should remain in power for five ye.irs. Since the members of the Government will not need to engage themselves In devising opposition-bashing and vote-gi: abbing tactics they will have adequate time to dedicate them-solves to the cause of the clti-z.ens and development of the country. My present suggestion originates from generalization 'i >f the feeling and perception of I ight minded, sane and consid-o-ate citizens of the country as a device to de activate the self-centred politicians and political parties.
I call upon the intellectuals, professionals, philanthropists. Eatriots and ordinary citizens i initiate a movement that the next caretaker government hold power for five years, for the sake of sustaining country's independence and for the uplift of the people, particularly millions of the poor people of the country, the silent majority. This may be done by writing letters and opinions in columns of the print media, and holding discussion-meets and seminars.