Weak political base

. PHOTO: AFP

The main cause was that the liberation in 1971 was gained in merely nine months, compared to decades of painful movements in other countries.

Now politics is based on charisma, which is a subjective approach for long-term goals. The current question is: first the party, or the country? Now two other factors have entered the political field: corruption and religion.

The later is a tricky issue: tackle with the head (rational approach) or the heart (faith)? The opposition is taking advantage of the situation by pumping 'Secularism". It complicates the national approach, and more so for the vast majority living around the poverty level (economics).

At the top level of the society (a microscopic minority controlling all the strings of the society) materialism has become an attractive philosophy of life (aping the rich West). Man is not an angel!

The opposition does not attend the parliament (regardless of the name of the party), but fly the flags of democracy in street agitations. Our street politics has become more important to exploit the artless masses. We cannot even manage the street traffic!

The clever political leaders have to pay compensation for their national lapses. None would be surprised it there is a third phase of non-political rule in the near future, with the two main parties engaged in a tug of war, without taking the nation forward. Static dynamism! Now it is easier for the foreign powers to bring about any undesirable change, as they are interested in the energy reserves in Bangladesh. The big neighbour has already started using Bangladesh as a hinterland.

The politicians are facing three main challenges: external threats, external religious monitoring coupled with internal religious agitation (with violence); and, corruption. The later is being used as an advantage by the self-motivated politicians, but it would rebound (Newton's Third Law); as internal rifts hog the headlines.

Now the basic issue is: self-survival (of the existing political parties) or survival of the state? The definition of the latter is being questioned. When a menu is still in the drafting stage, the dinner cannot be served in time!

The regime is not publicising the basic approaches--only spotlighting the ad hoc development projects. There is no moral development, only physically visible flags. We are victims of cosmetic politics.

The prime minister has to act more like a PM most of the time, than as a party leader. This difference has become a sensitive issue now. Too much leniency is being shown to the undesirable activities of the party field units. Discipline has to be tough internally. Overall majority is not a safe cover. Internal ventilation is needed, to remove political greenhouse effect. The mobile courts are raiding the food establishments. What about political pollution? To err is human, including the politicians!

Statesmanship in leadership has to be made more visible. Sycophancy is selling at a premium. Now the so-called "leaders" depend on the followers. It should be the other way round. Start cleaning from the top, rather than trim at the bottom.