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Exit, escape, retreat or surrender

Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury - 4/20/2008

Bangladesh is under an interim government backed by army. Since postponement of much anticipated general election in the country on 11 January 2007, a State of Emergency was declared and on 12 January 2007, an interim government with Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed was installed in power. Since then, the government has declared all out war against corruption and nepotism. A large number of heavyweight politicians were arrested, many of whom are already either facing trials or convicted to various terms on different allegations.

The most important achievement of the present government was to leave a strong signal to the entire nation that no one was above law. Since the independence of the country in 1971, people in power and politics were considered to be mostly above law. Taking advantage of such excellent situation, many got involved in massive corruption, nepotism and various forms of illegal activities. Even, during October 2006, the nation witnessed with greatest dismay the atrocities and murder of people right on the streets of the capital under direct instructions of the chief of one of the largest political parties. The nation was made captive in the hands of few thousand political activists when the later captured major streets in Dhaka and other parts of the country with bamboo and other lethal weapons in the name of political protests.

The agitation led by Bangladesh Awami League began when the leaders rejected the appointment of former Justice K M Hasan as the Chief Advisor of the caretaker government after BNP-Islamist Coalition government finished its tenure of five years. Bangladeshi political parties in parliament made unanimous decision in holding all general elections under a ‘neutral caretaker government’ as the politicians lost their credibility and acceptability to opponent political parties and fronts. With such tendency in mind, politicians were not inclined in allowing the recent past parties in power even to hold the election under their guidance. In fact, rigging in elections became so rampant in the country that, there was virtually no alternative to the politicians other than deciding to let a neutral caretaker government take care of such tasks.

Caretaker government of Bangladesh is a form of government system, in which the country is ruled during the interim period between the removal of the old government and the takeover of the newly elected government. As the outgoing government hands over their power, caretaker government comes into place. The main objective of the caretaker government is to create an environment in which election could be held in a free and fair manner. The head of the government who is called the Chief Adviser is being selected by the President and Chief Adviser selects the other advisers. The administration is generally distributed between the advisers. Chief Adviser and the other advisers are committed for their activities to the President. Although due to massive opposition of Awami League and like minded left liening political parties, appointment of K M Hasan as the Chief Advisor became impossible for President Professor Iajuddin Ahmed, he [the president] finally decided to hold the posts of both President and Chief Advisor right after BNP-Islamists Coalition government handed over power in October 2006. But, Awami League and its partners were not happy with this decision only. They came up with new demand for removing M A Aziz from the post of Chief Election Commissioner. According to many, in fact, Awami League was not interested in running in the general election as some of the heavyweights within the party were not sure of its victory in the general election. Sheikh Hasina was too convinced with such argument and decided to remain on streets with various agitation programs with the ultimate goal of postponement of the election at least for some months. She even gave direct provocations to the supporters of her party in bringing various types of wooden objects and bamboos on streets as part of the movement. But, everyone knew with certainty that the ultimate outcome of such actions would end up in severe confrontation and sufferings of innocent people. Awami League and left liening parties succeeded in pushing Bangladesh, especially the capital city into absolute reign of terror. Television cameras and photo journalists were seeing dead bodies here and there on the streets of Dhaka. At least 27 people died in this deadly confrontation. And, situation was becoming worsened. Many of the analysts were even seeing risk of starting of civil war in the country, due to thoughtless attitude of the politicians.

In this case, for quite obvious reason, army had no option left in their hands but to some how control the situation with imposion of State of Emergency in order to save the country from a potential disaster. Possibly no one will at least disagree on this point.

The subsequent actions against corruption was also cheered by the people of Bangladesh. But, the problem started when the interim government and its driving force began to widen its areas of agendas. They initially began fighting corruption of politicians. Then they extended hands to business community, civil bureaucracy, journalists and even poor community living in slums. Hawkers were evicted from the streets of Dhaka overnight, thus pushing a large section of the poor population to joblessness. Government intention turned clear to people as if they were decided to paint both politicians and businessmen as corrupts and naughty elements. Limitless harrassment of businessmen and even mass people left a strong signal with all that this government is unwilling to see normal businesses to continue in the country. Banking sectors turned extremely hostile on people and many of the small depositors were even unnecessarily harrased by banks in the name of tracing black money. Appointment of Bazlur Rahman as the chairman of National Board of Revenue thus further contributed in increasing people’s harrassments and sufferings. Everyone turned extremely feared of some unknown danger.

But, Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina was still feeling delighted and were openly claiming that the army backe interim government was the result of their movement. Her statements were so open that many even doubted that through the interim government, in fact, Awami League was already in power. Many of the Awami League small fries started taking advantage of this situation and went in blackmailing people.

But, Awami League’s pride got a huge slap on their face when the government first banned Hasina’s coming back to Bangladesh from United States. This was the beginning for Awami League supporters and leaders to realize that, they too were not going to be spared by the interim government. And of course, the final message came prominently, when Hasina was booked by the members of law enforcing agencies right from her Shudha Swadan residence.

Now, the millitary backed interim government is reportedly looking for safe exit plan. Some even say, they are looking for retreat, escape or surrender. Why, because, according to a recent report published in The Economist, the interim government is already overburdened with the present food crisis. According to the Economist, the government is negotiating with Awami League for reaching into an agreement, where Sheikh Hasina shall be allowed to go abroad for ‘treatment’ while her party shall run in the next general election. The Economist expressed highest confidence of holding of the general election by 2008. But, to my personal opinion, this is a wild dream. I personally do not see any hope of election at least in next one year. And of course, if the present interim government will further prolonge the tenure of State of Emergency, it may ultimately bring some unexpected bad news for the entire nation.