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Resolving The Political Crisis in Bangladesh

Badrul Islam - 2/26/2006

Bangladeshis heaved a sigh of relief when Leader of the 0pposition joined the Parliament after the absence since September 15,2004, and the ruling party cordially welcomed them. In her speech, Sheik Hasina on behalf of AL and 14-party Alliance placed “Reforms proposals for fair polls”. The BNP Secretary General responded that Government is also ready to discuss ways to make future elections more credible, free and fair. We all should, indeed, feel proud of these positive out come and, this brings, the political position, from confrontation to the level of “Deuce”(a term used in Tennis to indicate that both players are at equal 40-40 points).

From this point onwards only the most skillful player(s) wins the game; likewise, between the AL and BNP, the skillful deliberator, within the Parliament, will be the winner.

“The Reform proposals for fair polls” are categorized as follows: Five, for CTG system, Fifteen for making an Independent Election Commission and 11 for Electoral Laws. That’s a total of 31 proposals which Hasina said,” are to establish the people’s right to vote, not to go to power.” Khaleda Zia too on several occasions has confirmed that proposals for reforms placed in the Parliament will be negotiated to ensure “rights of the Voters and a Free and Fair elections.” Now the Citizens are eagerly awaiting the results.

As reported in newspapers that amid huge desk thumping by party deputies, the AL chief said,” People want a change and for the change a free and fair election is a must.” Does this phrase sound familiar? 0f-course it does. The Media (Newspapers and TV) had organized many round-table conferences; additionally, Civil societies, Human right activists, Legal and Professional Associations, all, organized seminars and discussions for creating mass awareness for all Voters and the Political parties (80 plus parties) to understand this hard truth –“People want a change”. The Nation feels proud and honored that their efforts have finally been proved to be productive.

Hasina should have added three more proposals: 1.Appointment of Non-Partisan Speakers .2.Deleting Article 70 and 3. Women’s right to participate in direct elections. These are the main hindrances in the smooth running of the Parliament and Democracy. Perhaps these will be considered at a later stage.

As a Citizen, I feel confident, that if “Professionalism and Ethics” are strictly followed during the deliberations in the Parliament for negotiating the 31 Proposals then the Political crisis will definitely be solved and, within a short span of time. I can vouchsafe that our entire Citizens will agree on this opinion.


Apparently there are signs of a clear understanding amongst all (Citizen and Politician) that the final decisions announced jointly by AL and BNP will be accepted by all and preparations for Elections will commence accordingly. This is the “first good sign”, both of “Professionalism and Ethics.” The Practice of “ Professionalism” would mean that the Leaders would understand that “Leading is about serving its Citizen” and that as individuals they cannot be expert in everything. Therefore, in any negotiations a total win-win is not possible. “ 0bjective should be agreement and not victory” and neither party should feel embarrassed or beaten. The Negotiators should concentrate on proposals and maintain a rational goal oriented frame of mind. The Practice of ” Ethics” would mean that Leaders and all their MPs “must accept the fact that concerned parties are equal negotiating partners that they will be “unconditionally constructive” and be respectful to the individual’s right to differ and be receptive to alternatives.

The “onus” of a productive negotiation is equally, on both, Leaders and they must set the examples and instruct all their MPs to conduct themselves accordingly. This is the most essential negotiation, in the history of the Parliament, as its result will establish real Democracy. The Nation, therefore, demands that both Hasina and Khaleda Zia, demonstrate unlimited patience for successful agreements.

The Parliament resumed, on February 22,2006 and Citizens speculated that the "modus operandi" will be finalized so that negotiations could commence before the Parliament would be prorogued next February 28,2006. That did not happen. Citizens were very disappointed, and on behalf of Citizens, the Editor of Daily Star in his editorial (February 23,2006) asks, “But why the delay in getting down to business?” The Editor, as a Citizen and eligible Voter again states exactly the feelings of the Citizens when he say.”

It’s not sufficient for the two sides (AL and BNP) to merely attend parliament together. It is time to roll up their sleeves and to do the nation’s bidding”. I would actually ask, “ What is up their sleeves? This question of mine is to be found in the newspaper Prothom Alo in its issue (February 24,2006) under topic, “Will the Reforms Proposal be kept hanging?”

The reports of Arifur Rahman and Jahangir Alam elaborating the individual strategies of BNP and AL in respect to the Nation’s most important task is awful and reminds me of what Albert Einstein had rightly said,”Politcs is more difficult than Physics and world is likely to die from bad Politics than from bad Physics.”

In the second last paragraph of my article,” Need of the Time: Correct attitude by both Politicians and Citizens” I have mentioned the followings;” Political parties must be aware that the theory, I am the State, died with the French Revolution and modern world is moving away from the “Master-Slave” pattern to Democracy. In the modern world of IT technology, the Citizens are aware of the updated methods, the Government of other Countries, use to fulfill their commitment made to the Citizens and how the 0pposition plays an effective “Check and Balance” role. The Citizens of Bangladesh also demands the same system to operate here. The Government and the 0pposition Leaders, as elected Representatives, owe it to the Citizens and therefore its imperative that they jointly devise a strategy to solve the problems that hinders the establishment of Democracy.