If winter comes can spring be far behind

Against such a stark reality based scenario the leaders representing the civil society sat in a seminar on March 20, 2006 in the city. The central theme of the meet veered around representation in the Jatiya Sangsad of honest people who have clean records and antecedents. In the general perspective, the discussion and paper presentation appeared to have been very critical about the politicians. By and large they were taken to have been responsible for most of the moral degradation pervading ominously in the country for long. It was contended that only the civil society could emerge as the saviour of the nation. To achieve such a desired goal it was also suggested, among others, that the civil society waged a nationwide campaign against corruption and took massive awareness programme to ensure representation of only honest people in the Jatiya Sangsad. Microcredit fame Professor Mohammad Yunus was the keynote paper presenter.

The dialogue on "initiative of the civil society in the accountable development efforts” was participated by many eminent intellectuals and reputed elite, noted teachers, economists, former bureaucrats, artistes, litterateurs, distinguished members of the legal profession, social development activists, journalists and politicians. Organised jointly by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, the discussion laid particular emphasis on how to extricate the country from the insidious clutch of maladministration and to install good governance. To achieve such a noble end there was an ultimate consensus that it would be absolutely imperative to nominate honest and qualified candidates ever uncompromising on matters of moral principles. It was considered necessary to organise intensive mass-awareness programmes across the country towards achieving such an end through a free and fair election in 2007.

From the numerous discussants it was learnt with specific instances that the country was not being run well. It was also held that the national parliament and the administration in its entirety were all ineffective, politics at all levels right from top to bottom was viciously besieged by invincible spates of corruption. Besides, many were seen thriving on terrorist activities with the blessings of their political godfathers.

It cannot be denied that we have been passing through a period of abject dejection and hopelessness. Still then, we shall have to work out ourselves the most formidable course to get out of the woods. We have to make honest and sincere endeavours to liquidate the present stigmatic situation born of unfathomable corrupt practices at almost all levels of administration. In the perpetual absence of accountability on the part of the administration things will continue to be ever waning.

Our salvation lies in true democracy if we can afford it to ourselves. Only such a desired state of democracy, democratic practices, honest commitment can only ensure the desired transparency and accountability of any government. Establishment of such a desired democracy, vis-a-vis democratic institution, culture etc can be possible and practicable through a Jatiya Sangsad comprising people who are honest and known to be of high moral integrity, qualified in all respects and well-principled. In actual practice, however, we are far away from such a blissful and desireable situation. It is needless to say that the political parties in our country are used to select their respective party candidates for nomination in elections on consideration of the comparative affluence and muscle strength of the individual aspirant for nomination. These are, till now, practical hurdles to overcome.

Professor Mohammad Yunus presented his personal thinking in this connection. It was suggested, among other things, that continuous pressure from the civil society should be made on the political parties to nominate only the honest, deserving qualified men of principle to contest in the next general election. He thought that even the leaders, workers and supporters of different political parties should also put similar pressure on their respective party high command to nominate only the men of integrity.

In the event of the political parties' unwillingness to give in, Professor Yunus suggested that the civil society would consolidate itself into a separate stronghold, would make its own nomination. If needed he would also like to see the members of the civil society going to the polling stations and submitting blank ballots as a mark of protest against the nomination of dishonest member of any political party.

On the face of it the proposition of Professor Yunus may appear to be very idealistic in nature. Yet it is hoped to pave in a real base and path for the majority of the people to be more and more vocal against the bad culture practiced by the political parties. It shall also give the civil society a strong handle to raise its voice condemning the deliberate and purposeful eroding of our moral values at the hands of the political parties. Eventually, as Prof. Yunus foresaw, this protest would be transformed into a full-throated social movement to be respectfully reckoned with in days ahead. The change may came tomorrow or the day after. But it will have to come for our own social and economic salvation. Let the sterling initiative of the civil society instill in all of us a state of robust optimism to unveil brighter days ahead.

Kazi Alauddin Ahmed is a management consultant.