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People want to see changes promised

SHARIER Khan and MAHBUBA Zannat
From businessmen to homemakers, the general people now expect that Awami League (AL) while forming the new government would demonstrate how it would keep its pledge by bringing a'change.'
While talking to The Daily Star, they said one of the first vital indications of 'change' would be the formation of the cabinet, dropping all the 'old faces' except for successful former agriculture minister Mada Chowdhury, and putting new, honest and competent people in charge of various ministries.
None of them should be given the charge of any ministry as political reward.
Another early vital indication would be how the AL prevents its party-men from 'capturing' market places, educational institutions, tender processes and other places from where they could make money through extortion and intimidation.
Besides, common expectations from the next government include bringing down the price of essentials, keeping the ports or economic facilities free from politicisation and improvement oftheexistingpowersupply.
"We want to believe that Awami League knows it secured such a landslide victory because most people believed in the party's commitment," said businessman S Chowdhury.
He strongly advocates forming a cabinet with new blood that would help materialise the visions laid out in the /XL manifesto.
"It should also be open to the opinions of the opposition before making any major decision ." he said, stressing the need for curbing the price of essentials and prioritising the energy sector.
"Awami League's landslide victory is a severe blow to the rule of corruption, nepotism, incompetence and militancy and also a verdict in favour of change. We have said no to corruption and yes to honesty and we want to see the reflection of our verdict in the activities of the winning party immediately," said Jahanara Islam, a 65-year-old housewife at Mirpur.
Jahanara feels that she is part of AL's landslide victory as she motivated other people to vote for boat to send a clear message to the four-party alliance which, according to her, undermined most of the moral values during its five-year rule.
"We do not want any government to replicate the misrule of the four-party alliance in the country," she said.
Sikder Ahmed, an executive ofa group of foreign companies, said, "I hope that Awami League would learn from the country's history and avoid the mistakes of all the previous governments."
He said the new government should focus on a few import an t issues that include keeping the port free of political influence, encouraging foreign direct investment, creation of jobs and adoption of necessary measures to strengthen the country' s energy securi ty.
He said, "The people are closely watching who would be made the cabinet members. We do not want the old faces that ruined the reputation of the previous Awami League government from 1996 to 2001."
"We also expect that the prime minister will have a dynamic, young, smart, highly educated and well-connected spokesperson, who can respond to the people and the media on all occasions. This will make the premier more accountable, "Ahmed said.
Physician Reaz Feda said, "We do not want to see incompetent ministers or a bunch of people as cabinet members like those of the previous four- party alliance government. The new prime minister should not appoint anyone a minister as a reward rather she should give the responsibility to a person who would be able to perform it properly. " he said.
"We also want to see that the new government takeinitiatives to try and punish the war criminals. responding to the people's sentiment," he added.
He said, "We want to see whether Awami League repeats the violent acts that we witnessed after the 2001 elections." the physician said, adding that the party must not protect or rehabilitate any political godfathers like Joynal Hazari or Shamim Osman.
Requesting anonymity, an
energy expert said he is eagerly waiting to see who gets the portfolio of the energy ministry as it will be one of the key ministries of the new government.
"I think the ministry should be under the prime minister and there should be one state minister to oversee both the energy and the power ministries. We do not want to see former bureaucrats or academicians in that position. But a fresh and honest face, who might be an economist or a person having good knowledge about the dynamics of economy and investment."
"Awami League should now work strongly to eliminate corruption and try the war criminals," said Dr Nezamuddin of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical .University, adding that at the same time it should take noticeable actions immediately to check the price hike of essentials.
It is time to brine an end to politicisaffon Ind nepotism. The AL should listen to the opposition irrespective of its strength in the parliament to pave the way for a new political culture, he said.
"The post of the deputy speaker should be left for the opposition, making it clear that the government has taken the opposition seriously and with due respect." Dr Nezamuddin said, adding that the provision of cancelling membership, if one crosses the floor, could be amended so that one can take his or her stance individually on various issues.
Women rights worker ShahnazSumi stressed the need for restoring the constitution of 1972. trial of war criminals and implementation of the Women Development Policy.
Advocate Abu Hanif also expects that the AL would be considerate in the parliament as 'it seems that running the parliament would be a big challenge for the party.'