The era of the ladies

The problem is that our Dhaka politics is subjective, and personality/charisma oriented, since the birth of Bangladesh more than three decades ago. The approach and style have to change. A shake-up is required for updating, otherwise the wise political leadership, and politics itself, might go into hibernation (note the plight in the different continents).

The feedback system within the political parties is weak, amateurish, and does not get top priority during policy-making decisions. There is no respect for the electorate; because leaders find that they can get away with it.

The campaign for vote-banks is motivated and not people-oriented; because politics today has become big business, rather than quiet and steady public service in the background. There is too much dependence on the microphone, the loudspeakers, and mud-slinging. The finger is never pointed inwardly.

Note the pathetic image of the opposition: lame, walking on crutches, like a chronic patient, inward-looking, and full of negative propaganda. Attend the parliament every working day, and let the people judge. There are too many sermons without the mount! The gift of the gab is like a 100m runner competing in a marathon!

We Bengalees like to talk, and talk. It is a matter of pride that a grocer, rickshawala or a hawker can tell you elaborately how to run the country. There is a vast difference between criticism and analysis. Commonsense cannot be used as a tool for forward long-term planning. We have good brains, but tend to be ruled by the heart. Entrepreneurship is virtually absent in local politics (no risk, no gain). We are still traditional in approach -- the insecurity syndrome is still bugging us (how much bugged is Bush?).

The premature election campaign started by the regime is hollow, amateurish and cosmetic, judging by the law and order situation, the price hike of commodities, the indiscipline ruling all sectors of the society; and the perpetual tug of war between the two major parties (no forward progress, perhaps the art of 'upwomanship'). The hidden agenda is the lust for power.

The top leadership is surrounded by sycophants. It is air-conditioning with the ventilation duct closed, and no TV surveillance cameras in operation. Politics should be open-ended (note the change of foundation in the recent elections in Germany). Now the game of politics is changing fast globally, but no change in approach or philosophy is discernable in Dhaka (which means covered in the vernacular). Where are the political tides in this delta region? How to remove the millions of tons of political silt? Can't use as a fertiliser!

The future of our stale, polluted, bhejal politics is shaky. Time for a change. The two ladies may how decide voluntarily to retire and save their positive images (if possible) -- and let the budding nation be ready to take-off. Mahathir and Jyoti Basu retired voluntarily. Violent tactics do not pay in the long run. The future of the Middle East is at stake with the divide-and-rule policy of Yankee foreigners in Iraq.

Bad politics is sending another message to the masses on the very future of so-called democracy in the third world under developed countries, that self-survival is the prime motive in public service. Make way -- and come back, backed by the people.