Dr. B's plan
Dr. B's discovery of a national crisis, who knows not, is true. But in case of Dr. B, such a discovery was not unconditional. It had to do with his own position and plight in politics. In his good days in the BNP, the country perhaps underwent crises that were far more precarious in degree and nature including a mock national election and a constitutional crisis. Dr. B then could not see the ghost as he had the guarantee of governmental perks and party blessings.
Second, the BNP cannot be wholly blamed for his elimination from the highest position . His growing up as a political leader and later assuming the designation of president were possible only for his long allegiance to BNP. Being nominated from a party because of being its member, he pretended not to recognise it any more. Availing many things in life, Dr. B probably ventured to earn a 'Shahbuddin-image' which was not at all compatible with his background. Again, passing on his vacant constituency to his son also did not speak well for his newly assumed 'great manly' approach.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Lastly, the most significant as well as alarming development is his pulling in civil society. True, civil society in Bangladesh has not yet flourished much. But if it has not yet earned people's respect, it has not at least earned their abhorrence. Mention may be made of its positive role in its efforts to influence government's policy on various crucial aspects and its role concerning environmental factors. And it is a very rare phenomenon in our country that their endeavour continued, irrespective of the party in power.
A separate political platform consisting of people from civil society, as Dr. B cherishes, and though very unlikely, may shatter the last hope of the country, turning it towards a greater vacuum. And whoever it may be, at least Dr. B's track record does not say that he can talk of such a platform. If we are frustrated by the two major political parties of our country, the idea that a dissident from one of those can rescue us is bound to be a mere illusion.