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End of the line?

Despite so much of public support, the CTG has disappointed us. Instead of protesting against errors and omissions of the CTG, we supported it in the hope of establishing a true democracy. It is time that we ask the government as to what were its achievements during the last 20 months if we see the return of the old system. Has it surrendered completely to the politicians to ensure a safe exit? A.B.M.S. Zahur
WE are totally confused. Certainly we did not expect such a miserable end for a neutral, non-accountable government. People are now even questioning whether the government set up to rescue the 4 party alliance from wrath of the people and not to save the sovereignty of Bangladesh or its people from total disaster.
Whatever may be people's speculation about the present political scenario, the majority of the people are becoming concerned that the CTG may not be able to reach its goal of holding a free, fair and credible election.
From the events that took place after Tarique Zia slipped in the toilet and after his official release from detention on September 4. the government should well j understand as to what may happen in case it allows full political freedom by lifting of emergency.
^ From sincere, honest and relentless effort of our newsmen we could learn that very little has changed since January 12, 2007. Given the vandalism that we have seen (during state of emergency) on the day of Tarique's slip, what can we expect in upazila or national elections?
The incident of September 4 was an internal matter of BNP, but how could it happen during a time of emergency? It may be pointed out that both events revolved round one man (i.e. Tarique) and both the untoward incidents were committed by BNP activists'
If emergency is totally lifted and all the top level political detainees are released (on bail or otherwise) one after another, only the March Hares can expect a peaceful, smooth, free, fair, and credible election. We would have to give up hope for establishing true democracy with triumphant return of the front ranking leaders of dictatorial democracy.
For the last 20 months also we were under the impression that the CTG would be able to prepare a level playing field for political parties to contest freely and fairly for a credible election As the things are progressing, there are legitimate doubts as to whether to expect a free, fair, and credible election by the end of 2008 because the EC seems not fully prepared and the CTG is uncertain about participation of political parties in emergency. It is not yet sure whether EU countries would send any observers to the national election under emergency.
In the bargaining with BNP, the CTG has lost and exposed its weakness in withstanding the pressure of big parties (and perhaps big powers). Release of so many top political leaders whose cases were at prosecution stage has created a sense of frustration among common men and women who have tolerated so long the failure of CTG to control price fluctuations and price hikes of essential commodities for achieving a true democracy.
In running the administration CTG has committed a number of
’ mistakes which have considerably
reduced its stature. The first was rough handling of business community (large, medium, and small). Second, what looked to be selective prosecutions of politicians. Third, soft handling of corrupt and politicised bureaucracy.
Tough handling of business community has created a panicky situation, though the subsequent attempt to win them back could be successful. Some syndicates were responsible for abnormal increase in price of essential commodities through creation of artificial scarcity by refusing to arrange timely import (where necessary). The rate of investment (both domestic and foreign) went down because of uncertainty. A greater economic slowdown was averted only because of high increase in remittances from expatriate Bangladeshis.
Because of lack of experience in handling business community and rather unfriendly attitude toward media we see severe damage done to the initial bright image of the CTG. The general impression is that no corrective measures were taken against bureaucracy because of misapprehension of the CTG that any corrective action may bring the administration to a standstill.
Though advisers of CTG are experienced in different fields
they have shown weakness in handling the people. In a parliamentary government, we get the reaction of the people from parliamentary debates and discussion. In the absence of parliament, it is the media which plays the role of parliament. Due to its mishandling of the media, the CTG failed to obtain real cooperation from it.
Even now the media does not have clear understanding as to what are the over-riding considerations which forced the CTG to release well-known extortionists, bribe-takers, and money launderers. As such, the average person does not know why such strange things are happening. Is it due to quest for participation of all large parties in the election or pressure from outside the country?
Despite so much of public support, the CTG has disappointed us. Instead of protesting against errors and omissions of the CTG, we supported it in the hope of establishing a true democracy. It is time that we ask the government as to what were its achievements during the last 20 months if we see-the return of the old system. Has it surrendered completely to the politicians to ensure a safe exit?
The writer is a former joint secretary.