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Of people and politicians

S. 1. Zaman
***You pride yourself on the thought that ovePthe last 16 years or so, this vast majority voted you to power, and what did these harmless and naive voters get in return? Peanuts, in real terms! While you basked in the new found power to loot and plunder the wealth of the nation, you either deceived them into electing you or you bought them into choosing you!***
WE are weary of politicians like Hannan. Delwar et al, and Zillur, Suranjit et al fuming at the CTG with their cliche-ridden rhetoric on how the nation would go to the dogs unless the parliamentary election was held at the earliest opportunity. Some of these noted leaders have nothing much to say except, ‘early restoration of democracy is imperative for the nation s health" -- as though democracy is a totka or a quack medicine your granny or your mum used to give you when you were sick as a child!
My message to them; people are tired of your silly antics, rhetoric and ranting. Your persuasion tactics don't hold water. People can see through you now, how implausible you now look and sound. You delude yourself in thinking that you are still a force to reckon with. And you brag of being the main party, which has the support of 99% of the electorate! But, whose 90% (a
conservative estimate) consists mostly of rural based uneducated farmers and barga chashi. who have no notion of democracy (let alone democratic rights) or, indeed, what it means to be a voter. You pride yourself on the thought that over the last 16 years or so, this vast majority voted you to power, and what did these harmless and naiVe voters get in return? Peanuts, in real terms! While you basked in the new found power to loot and plunder the wealth of the nation, you either deceived them into electing you or you bought them into choosing you!
As for your leader-centric and leader-worshipping mentality, sadly, you haven't changed an iota. Given so much criticism lately about the undemocratic practices within the mainstream parties, one would have thought that the party sycophants should have learnt by now not to sound too "devotional" about their leaders who are now languishing in jail, in case you missed it. your endless adulation, devotion and
focus on your netri (leader) has blinded you to the reality, which is the greater good for the nation You seem to have this aura of evangelical zeal that, "come what may! Netri must be freed at any cost!" What if your netri is convicted and serves a prison sentence, would you still carry on with your asinine devotion and try to make a national hero out of her?
It is inexplicable that, while the present administration has been fervidly clear about how the corrupt practices within the mainstream parties have devoured the very core and essence of this nation, none of you has come out (as yet) with a clear-cut statement or, indeed, a pledge that you will henceforth end all forms of unilateral corrupt practices, that you will make sure such vile practices are shunned by all, and that you will have the courage to stand up against your leader and correct him or her if ever he or she is deemed to have "crossed the line" (politically or morally). Sadly, we haven't heard any of these! Yet, you go on
with your blas6 political rhetoric which only serves to demean you more.
You talk, of lifting emergency rule once and for all well, who will benefit the most -- the people?The vast majority of the downtrodden people? Nol It's you and the ones in your league who are zealously seeking a way out to reap the benefit - - the first order of the day would be to get a mob (with dandas, lathis, clubs, and perhaps hand grenades) out on the streets of Dhaka to free your netri. This would be executed somewhat dexterously as you and your acolytes are so adept at it. Then you would do your utmost to launch a reign of terror so that the EC would be compelled to declare a firm date for the general election.
Of course, these are tactics you are so at home with! And why do 1 sound so harsh, with not a kind word for our politicians? Well, over the last 13 months, we haven't seen or heard anything significant, which gives the impression that our politicians have reformed themselves and metamorphosed into a new mind-set, conducive to a 21st century type setting -- sadly, nothing like that everhappened!
The types of noises you are making are indubitably reminiscent of what you were before 1/11-- "party reform" has thoroughly
lost its connotation -- there isn't an iota of any significant change In your party constitution, party setup or, indeed, in the mind-set of politicians such as you -- and you still seem to thrive in the banal notion of "monolithic" leadercentrism! For you, it seems, party interests should outweigh national interests, and the interests of your netri should eclipse all else! Is this position tenable?
You talk of democracy as though the very absence of it is the only ill that plagues Bangladesh -- but did you ever practice democracy within your party? Your party's track record says otherwise -- you managed, and were happy to carry on, the tradition of leader-centrism in your party. Despite your leader's culpable unilateral decisions and corrupt practices, none of you ever questioned the wisdom of your leader, none of you ever had the courage to stand up for the people's aspirations, the very people who voted you in power!
Your netris (BNP and AL) thus far have been perceived by a vast majority to be inept, incompetent and unfit to lead your parties, or indeed any political party, with a true spirit of democracy and patriotism -- but did any of you dare to criticise, oppose or speak up for the greater good of the party and, indeed, for the greater good of this nation?
Your petulant and persistent demand for an early election only helps to show your resolve to capture power at the earliest opportunity -- and the word "election" has become a currency for fulfilling your ulterior design in power play -- can you not also demand a fast-track process by which tens of thousands of farmers around the country could receive their much needed fertilizers, seeds and other
agricultural help in due time? Can you not also demand improved government health care so your netris wouldn't be in this dire situation (health-wise)? Can you not also demand improved primary education? Can you not see a need for a universal social security system, which would protect the unemployed, homeless, sick and destitute? And, can you not demand, unequivocally, the for-
mulation of a much-awaited Citizen's Charter?
I want to be able to believe that the upcoming general election is indeed a light at the end of the tunnel. But can we honestly trust you to run the country once again? And run it good? Can you, once and for all, not deceive the electorate, and keep the promises that you make in your election manifesto?
Dr S. I. Zaman, is a university professor.