BITTER pill to swallow. I would like to wholeheartedly thank The Daily Star, Prothom Alo and CPD for arranging this vital discussion about the future direction of the nation. I believe that electing a clean candidate would be a one-leg strategy for Bangladesh because once they are elected how would they overcome institutionalized corruption, deeply rooted culture of greed, a system built on intolerance, incompetence and gross disregard for the laws of the land?

I strongly believe that in order to succeed, we definitely need "clean candidate" plus a good governance system (which would be based on accountability, transparency and check and balance between executive, legislative and judiciary). We need liberal democracy where majority can govern with the consent of minority. I think one way to

do that is taking out opportunities of involving in corruption by MPs from the current miserably failed system and this may be achieve by the following ways:

1) Rescind current monetary and non-monetary compensation packages for MPs for first three years and these include salary, housing, car, telephone, red passport and of course cheap food. After three years if the country can meet the predetermined objectives in economic, social and development areas they would receive their due package plus bonus.

2) MPs would not be allowed to go to the executive branch or meet/call government offi-cials/bureaucrats under any circumstances personally. If they have to meet any government employee, they need to write to the parliament's ethics committee and after the approval they are able to meet only in presence of a third party and minute of the meeting should be

publicly available.

3) Any relief/VGA/assistance should be distributed by the nonpartisan government employees not by the MPs.

4) While forming bi-partisan ethics committee with real power to review MPs' ethical conducts, also constitute standing committee to review PMO's activities because one should not be above the constitution.

5) Once individuals are elected, they should put their current assets under blind trust and immediately sever ties with entity that may create conflict-of-interest or influence their decision against public interest.

6) Political parties' financial statement should be audited yearly by the independent auditor and their source of funds should be disclosed publicly.

7) No individual should be able to become PM for more than two consecutive terms.