Bankrupt politics

Let's face the facts that almost every sector of life in Bangladesh has been politicised: schools, colleges, universities, professionals' organisations, trade unions etc., making the most benign interpretation of such arcane laws (enacted by our colonial rulers) quite defunct.

Let us also face the fact that the individualistic politics of Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia conveniently passed off under the guise of democracy. There have been miserable failures and utter disappointments for those who had anticipated much since the demise of military rule. What has the country seen in terms of real development since 1991? President Ziaur Rahman mobilised the country to cut canals and export manpower to the Middle East, President HM Ershad undertook extensive road construction projects, yet in 12 years, these two leaders between them have not even been able to establish a viable broadband telecommunication network essential for our economic growth, but rather brought down the law and order to an all time low!

Leaders without vision and wisdom have really hurt our country. When I think of Dr. Mahatir Mohammad and the magical transformation of Malaysia, when I think of Nelson Mandela and Bishop Tutu and removal of the evil called apartheid from South Africa, when I look at South Korea, Taiwan and India, I discover those two traits of leaders being of paramount importance

to any nation. Sadly, in Bangladesh these people are trying to create a legacy riding on the coattails of former national leaders. Frankly, the so-called "new generation" -­ my generation ­- that now populates the ranks and files of the BNP and Awami League fill me with horror. I was extremely dismayed when I read that staggering sums of money had to be contributed by many to earn a seat in the largest ever cabinet of the Bangladesh government. I wish it were not true.

Dr. B may not be the charismatic and energetic face of a frontline leader that we may be looking for. Alas! he has always been the second man -­ but he is an educated man, an established professional physician, not widely reputed for corruption, an experienced politician, a man with enough dignity and wisdom to step down from the office of the president to save the country from yet another political crisis, even though forcing him out was totally wrong.

A man well respected by the nation has spoken out and stated the obvious: we need a new breed of politicians. Therefore, to hunt down those who are communicating with him seems a blatant abuse of power and waste of valuable national resources. I happen to think that the country would benefit much more if these intelligence agencies focused their efforts on finding which known criminals were communicating with which lawmaker or minister.

I hope Dr. B and his followers will stay afloat, despite harassment and veiled threats

Shabbir A Bashar