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Our political dilemma!

Bangladesh is now at a political crossroads. We have to take careful steps and feel our way together to reach the goal of violence-free, fair election participated by all parties.

Ashfaqur Rahman
LAST Friday, our prime minister, in an address to the nation, proposed an all-party interim government to supervise the forthcoming 10th national elections. She called all political parties, specially the main opposition the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), to select their representatives and name them for joining the interim government. By proposing this, she rejected what the BNP has being crying hoarse over the past years, the reinstatement of a non-
political caretaker government to supervise the polls. The PM called the caretaker government a 'proverbial millstone' which had been hanging around Bangladesh's neck. This initiative by the PM has put the BNP in a dilemma. Will it abandon the caretaker issue or press it on the street? If it does so is it willing to pay the heavy price that it has to give in terms of lives, limbs and property. For the government will not bend easily to this demand as the caretaker system is no more enshrined in our constitution. The PM is likely to use the full force of the state to make the opposition bend to the will of the constitution.
But let us also be clear. The PM by her announcement has opened the door to political negotiations among political parties inside the parliament. Will the BNP and the Jamaat consider negotiating on an interim government? In a knee-jerk reaction the BNP had already said that there is nothing new in the PM's proposal.
Some political analysts opine that the PM has initiated the proposals to counter BNP's promised actions on the streets from October 24, when the parliament is expected to end its given term. But there is more to it than just this.
The government overture was to send a strong signal to serious political elements that despite what BNP states the PM is serious that political discussions can now take place. The question of who will lead the interim government has been left open for a negotiated settlement. The matter of when the interim government will start operating, what would be the total number of members that would form the poll time government are political gaps that need to be filled after all-party negotiations.
The details about the functions of the interim government can also be determined through discussions across the table. So the PM has given an agenda to the parliament members to see things and decide upon. The interesting part is that the government has only indicated by what last date the elections must be held, but has not put the interim government in a bind on resolving each of these issues. Our astute politicians must use their political sagacity, common sense and good intentions to achieve the interim government.
However, a major challenge before the members of parliament will be who will head the interim government? Although the PM has not expressly said that she would be the one, her party thinks that she would be the one to hold that position. That can cause the opposition groups to be reluctant to agree. So what could be the way out? Like our proverbial dilemma, the Awami League hates change, but loves it at the same time, keeping the leadership factor intact. The opposition party has very little flexibility as it cannot suggest a non-political person without raising serious objections from the government party. The PM would not accept it and her party would follow suit.
Some veteran political analysts have fallen back on the existing parliament members who have the respect in tolerable degree of all the mainstream leaders, including those of the opposition. The problem is, will such a parliamentarian call upon the prime minister or the leader of the opposition to listen to what he has to say in the conduct of his electoral actions? Gan we see such a person in the front, middle or in the back benches with that degree of political experience, sobriety and maturity?
Some maverick analysts have suggested that former president Ershad could possibly be a choice. Although he heads the third largest political party in the parliament he was after all the president of the country for long nine years and has returned to the country's representative assembly after winning all his elections in a convincing way. The terms under which he will be allowed to accept this responsibility will have to be negotiated by the parliament members. He has to be absolutely impartial, strict and uncompromising when delivering a flawless election result.
If Ershad has any desire to leave behind a legacy that will make him be remembered, this could be his opportunity. Posterity would remember him as a man who in spite of his past shenanigans has for once presided over an election that has saved the nation from a grave political situa-
tion. What a name to be remembered by.
If all parties take up what the prime minister has herself initiated, she herself has to do more than others to see the elections through in a free and fair manner. She has to first take actions so that mutual trust and understanding are generated between the government and opposition members. She must immediately make a political gesture by releasing all opposition political elements from the prisons. She must encourage the civil society to freely put forward suggestions that will help hold a free and fair election. The Election Commission must be at once strengthened so that the right people and the optimum resources are placed at its disposal. Let fear and uncertainty of the forthcoming elections be replaced by a feeling of confidence and joy by all the election stakeholders.
The prime minister must explicitly take steps to stop all her political leaders from making statements that vitiate the peaceful election atmosphere. Her associates should not be allowed to unilaterally create difficulties in any constituency to thwart the efforts of opposition candidates to run a free election. Likewise, the opposition leader must work in tandem with the interim government to behave in an exceptional responsible way.
Bangladesh is now at a political crossroads. We have to take careful steps and feel our way together to reach the goal of violence-free, fair election participated by all parties.
The writer is a former Ambassador and a commentator on current affairs.
E-mail: ashfaque303@gmail.com