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Political 'promises' and 'pledges'

Abu Afsarul Haider
USUALLY, promises made by politicians are meant to be broken. But a rare example was set by our opposition leader who promised that her alliance would wage a "new type of movement" after October 25 if the government did not restore the caretaker government system in the constitution within the time frame. Yes, indeed, the nation is witnessing a new type of movement since the deadline expired. In the name of protest, guerilla types of attacks were made on ordinary' common people who have nothing to do with politics. They are throwing petrol bombs on running buses full of passengers, setting fire to public transport, killing and burning innocent travelers and commuters. Burn units of different hospitals are being filled with charred people, more then the unit can handle. Hartal and oborodh are called together.
The whole country is burning because of their senseless violence making innocent people, including young children, victims of arson and bombs. Schools, colleges and universities are closed because of repeated shutdowns. People are living in fear and anxiety and there is no surety whether one will come home or not, once one steps out the door. It seems like their hatred is against common people whom they consider as enemies and expendables, who deserve to be burnt and die.
This time, other than 'new type of movement,' the BNP chairperson also promised a new trend in the running of the government if voted in to power. Though she did not explain in detail, she gave an indication of taking measures to bring qualitative changes to the country's confrontational political culture, as well as free it from corruption. The ruling party had also made similar pledges before the last parliamentary election, and that contributed greatly to the party's overwhelming victor}’. This time the AL is begging for votes by asking people to help keep up the process of development for building a new and modern Bangladesh.
Since, both have previous experience of serving this nation, they know very well that the needs and expectation of our common people are very little. They are not after big houses, luxury cars and expensive vacations; all they want is peaceful and secured environment so that they can make a decent living on their own. Their expectation from the government is not very' big; all they need are basic necessities like good education system for the citizens, better infrastructure facilities, uninterrupted power, gas, water, transport and safe and most importantly secure environment. And they will do the rest.
But our leaders are underestimating the strength of the common people who have gone through many hardships like flood and other natural calamities, one after another, causing the loss of many lives and properties. But what amazes us is the courage and boldness of our people in the face of natural disasters and their determination to build anew. If given the right kind of platform and opportunity the people of this nation are capable of achieving anything that is beyond imagination of our politicians. Despite all odds, it is our poor farmers, workers at home and abroad, entrepreneurs and all the hard working people, who are showing us the signs of hope, prosperity and stability, not the politicians. Things are now looking brighter and going excellent for us. Our economy worth $158.58 billion is growing at the rate around 6% - making us the next manufacturing hub in the region. Unfortunately, so far our leaders have failed us. They must understand that economic democracy, and the gradual development of market based economy, strengthens the basis of democracy.
Our current dirty politics touches every sphere of a citizen's life. Political attachments among teachers, doctors, government employees, journalists, and other groups are dividing us and making us enemies of each other. From educational institutions to government recruitment, from business to mass media, opportunities have been based on loyalty to a party rather than merit. Both the ruling and the opposition parties must discourage such politics as it breeds a politicised bureaucracy and malfeasant law and order. It always has a bearing on good governance. In a democratic society everyone is entitled to have political view but if anyone wishes to do active party politics then he/she must resign from their respective post and join mainstream politics.
At present, the lust for 'power' made both leaders detached from people who put them on the 'chair' in the first place. They seem to be living in the darkness for too long and as a consequence both have lost the sense of rational thought and direction. Both are so adamant on their claims, and they will not move an inch from their stance at any cost. What cost they are referring to—cost of human lives, cost of social progress, cost of state and private property or cost of our economy? They need to think and come out of their shell and change the present sadistic political culture, must understand that there will be divergence of opinion in a multi-party system, but they need to be resolved in a way that is acceptable to all parties concerned.
Political disputes need to be solved in a political way. They need to learn to forgive and forget and must have the ability to manage effectively and implement policy under a set of political, economic and social constraints that truly determines a leader's success. No one seems to know and understand the meaning and spirit of democracy, but all claim to be its leading lights. The culture of'sacrifice,' 'consensus,' 'compromise' and 'negotiation,' which seems to be lost and forgotten, needs to be brought back to democratic culture of Bangladesh.
The writer is a businessman. E-mail: afsarulhaider@gmail.com