Life and politics

By Rahim Ahmad Munshi Sydney, Australia
16 October 2005, 18:00 PM
We are at it again. We all know that we have a problem and are in deep trouble. The whole nation is traumatised by the spate of grenade and bomb attacks and our political stakeholders are doing what they do best, patronising terror by senseless comments and back biting, contributing to promoting a state of lawlessness in the country. Quality of governance is at its lower ebb. We cannot even find a person to head the Ministry of Home! It's still looked after by a state minister! Opposition is at loggerheads with the Party in power. It's total Chaos and is created by our major political parties. They don't follow their own constitution. They preach democracy but none practises it. Leadership is almost like proprietorship. One has succeeded in promoting an Heir, the other is vigorously trying to match. Democratic process has taken a back seat! And what is more damaging is that our "Sushil Samaj" has apparently endorsed these moves. " Mastans " are a very vital ingredient in political success stories. A whole lot of them are in fact lawmakers. Corruption is an accepted social behaviour. Flashy buildings are dotting the Dhaka skylines, Luxury apartments are snapped up in no time, political leaders are travelling in Mercedes & BMWs, Executives are dashing overseas for holidays, Children of influential people and leaders are sent overseas for higher education and yet we cannot find the tax evaders! The list can go on forever! We have now started selling seats in the parliament almost openly! Have they submitted their Tax Coupons? I doubt. I am just stunned to find that our major Political Parties are not registered! How do they handle funds? They seem to have access to untold amount of Fortune! We have sampled a bit of it during BNP's ongoing grassroots Grand meetings and Very colourful welcoming extravaganza of the Leader of the Opposition's American Daughter-in-law. I am sure both events were quite expensive. But who dares to ask! Dr. Kamal Hossain is one of the authors of the constitution! What about political ethics he is preaching! How have we defined POLITICAL PARTY in our constitution? Can any body please help me understand this? How are we actually ensuring Accountability of Political Parties? Aren't they accountable for the activities they do?

It seems they are not. They can call HARTAL, damage Public Properties, Shut down Educational Institutions at will. They can say whatever they like! Mastans are promoted as Leaders! Corrupt Business Tycoons and Ex-Govt elites are lured to become Law Makers! And we have to believe them! All major parties have done it. Why aren't they talking reforming the very basic process "Definition of Political Parties, Functions and accountabilities." It is our Political Parties, which are to be blamed squarely for this Unfortunate Mess we are in. We are terrorised and bombed to fulfil their lust for power. They have politicised the usually docile Govt functionaries and reduced them to a partisan lot. Law enforcing agencies are reduced to all engulfing corrupt Demons. Hypocrisy achieved as an art form. A leader calls for Hartal , denies daily wage earners the right to earn but he himself drives to office to count his profits ( should I say Loot ? ) Practice of Democracy is a distant dream now.

It seems two Principal Leaders have agreed to disagree on anything and everything.