Politics and the third force

The definition, as stated above, is broad enough to include a wide array of associations, groups and institutions outside the formal structure of the State. Traditionally, the formal structure of the State included the three pillars: the Executive, the Judiciary and the Legislature or Parliament. In many discourses relating to 'Good Governance', this conventional view of the State is now broadened to include, apart from private sector and local government, the civil society. Such discourses generally identify elements that constitute civil society such as Mass Media, Trade Unions, Professional Bodies, Private Voluntary Organisations (PVOs), Sports and Cultural Boards and Social Welfare Organisations.

At the other end, one United Nation's Development Programme report (UNDP, 1995) refers to the elements that constitute the civil society. These include youth organisations, academics, research institutes and non-government organisations (NGOs). The report makes one important point. It is that NGOs todate have probably received more attention than other deserving organisations outside the government. Viewed in this sense, the use of the term civil society is somewhat tautological.

Leaving aside the question of the rather imprecise use of the term civil society, there is no doubt that in Bangladesh, some civil society organisations (CSOs), either alone, or in association with NGOs, have been engaged in influencing public policy or drawing attention to the need for improving governance, ensuring rule of law, protecting human rights and in eliminating corruption. In some of these areas, global CSOs like Amnesty International (AI), Transparency International (TI), and Human Rights Watch New York are also making substantive contributions. In the field of environmental protection, Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers' Association (BELA) and Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (BPA) have been and are doing commendable work. Very recently BELA has taken up the issue of the Mega River-link Project of India. Unfortunately, there is no global counterpart of BELA in this field so that BELA will have to go with it alone. At this point of time, we can patiently watch and see what happens.

What then is the relationship between the civil society and politics? Many contemporary theorists view 'a robust, pluralist civil society as a necessary proactive foundation for democratic governance in a complex modern State'. They argue that civil society is a step towards ensuring 'self-rule outside formal institutions of the State'. This notion of self-rule, it may well be argued, is vastly different from the notion of self-rule that the politicians of the Indian sub-continent had during the thirties and the forties.

Effective self-rule, in the sense it is understood in the present day context, depends on the strength of the CSOs as well as the willingness and ability of those who hold and exercise the coercive powers of the State to listen to the dissenting voices and respect the collective voice of the citizens. Unfortunately, the state of politics in Bangladesh is as far away from this as we can possibly imagine. Confrontation with the organised political parties outside the ambit of the government or with the CSOs appears to be the norm that guides the application of the coercive powers of the State.

It is in this context that the current debate of the possible emergence of a 'Third Force' is relevant. This debate was sparked off in November 2003 with B Chowdhury's call for a coalition of forces of the civil society to improve the many ills that afflict politics and governance of Bangladesh. Not that he was the first to do so. Many CSOs, global and national, have been doing it for a long time. It is a specific reference to CSOs that has added a new dimension. It is necessary to place it in proper perspective based on a time-line trend of events that followed some of the public statements that have been made in this regard. The timeline trend is shown below.

Timeline trend of events

November 16, 2003

Former Speaker advised the government to hold all-party roundtable dialogue to overcome the current crisis.

B Chowdhury expressed his willingness to help political parties to implement his line of thinking.

November 17, 2003

B Chowdhury did not say anything on Mannan Bhuyian's comment that former President's remarks against BNP rule were nothing but a manifestation of heartburn for losing power

November 19, 2003

BNP Liberals fear axe like B. Chowdhury.

November 22, 2003

B Chowdhury to host much talked-about ifter party today amid flying speculations of the emergence of a third political force under him.

November 23, 2003

Step to set stage for Civil Society after EID -- B Chowdhury says at ifter party.

November 24, 2003

Mixed reaction to B Chowdhury's Civil Society platform plan.

-Mainstream opposition parties welcomed the realisation of a governance failure of the BNP-led ruling alliance. However, sceptics in the opposition camp suspect extra-constitutional forces may be pursuing forward their hidden agenda under the cover of a Civil Society platform.

-BNP says it is not worried about B Chowdhury because Civil Society cannot resolve political problems. The opposition parties also hold the same view.

November 25, 2003

-Columnist views that they 'see no light at the end of the tunnel through the paths that B Chowdhury has suggested so far. It is not guaranteed that Civil Society members are away from all evils'.

November 30, 2003

B Chowdhury plans raft of roundtables in December to discuss his ideas of governance with the Civil Society and business people.

December 3, 2003

Columnist comments 'when society organises itself to protest the style of governance, political parties may join Civil Society to make a combined show of civil power against the authority….Civil Society is a potent force, like "sleeping lion'.

Dr. Kamal for wider public role to save country.

December 4, 2003

Gono Forum President Dr. Kamal Hossain called for a broad unity ahead of a programme to be set against the government in January to press it to cut corruption and violence.

December 8, 2003

B Chowdhury opens political office today at his Memorial Clinic Complex.

'Third force' hype doesn't worry Awami League, says Jalil.

December 9, 2003

B Chowdhury shifts office for security reason following increase of surveillance on the clinic complex by members of different intelligence agencies.

December 11, 2003

B Chowdhury to open website, media cell at his office.

December 18, 2003

B Chowdhury prepares outline for his programme-based politics instead of the conventional-based politics.

December 22, 2003

Columnist on B Chowdhury's platform says 'no more trading in lies and deception'.

December 25, 2003

Two former Presidents, Dr Kamal call for people's unity to fight terrorism and action against corruption.

December 27, 2003

A new civil forum styled 'Bikalpa Dharar Nagorik Committee' (civic committee of alternative stream) is likely to surface this week, apparently as an outcome of B Chowdhury's recent move to establish a civil society platform.

December 29, 2003

Columnist on B Chowdhury's Civil Society platform says 'Civil Society needs to be perked up right away'.

January 7, 2004

B Chowdhury intends to float a political party in consultation with the civil society.

It is also important perhaps to look at B Chowdhury's concept of civil society. He is reported to have defined this saying, 'I mean any conscious patriotic individual in general, where people from any quarter, professional groups, political parties get in'. Carried to its logical conclusion, it means if the responses to his call and with it Dr. Kamal Hossain's call for unity are not encouraging or otherwise adequate, there are no conscious and patriotic citizens or professional groups or political parties in Bangladesh.

It has been reported that B. Chowdhury intends to float 'a political party after consultation with the civil society' but only 'if people wanted him to do so'. He, however, avoided giving a specific time-frame for launching the party.

It is too early to draw any conclusion now. The only visible outcome appears to be the emergence of Oikya Prochesta of Dr. Kamal Hossain. Perhaps the national convention proposed to be held by Oikya Prochesta on January 20, 2004 will further unfold the process of politics and the third force. As things stand now, of the two major political parties, one is opposed to it for obvious reasons and the other is indifferent or otherwise skeptical of any positive outcome of the process initiated by B Chowdhury and/or Dr. Kamal Hossain.

AMM Shawkat Ali is a former Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture.