'Opposition is not an enemy'

Chiefs of major political parties not on talking terms: Having seen the democratic practices in other democratic countries, one feels ashamed of what has been happening in Bangladesh. The most unfortunate part of Bangladesh politics is that the chiefs of the two major political parties do not talk to each other. It goes against the very fundamental principle of democracy. However, one good thing is that the other leaders of major political parties appear to be flexible and are interested to talk to each other on important issues, but the chiefs of the parties appear to be inflexible. This is no democracy at all.

A young leader of a major political party reportedly said some days ago that 'our leaders are confined to their past'; so he apparently thinks that the leadership of the younger generation is called for with a view to moving out of the "past" and bringing in new political ideas and thoughts that could be good for the people. He is right provided the younger group does not fall prey to any "temptation" for power and wealth by any means.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

Dissent among party members: Often we see in the newspaper that some ministers and other members of the parliament express concern over critical issues like reducing the size of the cabinet, corruption within party(s), promoting and fielding mastans by some political bosses, politicising the bureaucracy, using the police for political purposes etc. One feels that instead of going for separate political parties by the dissident members (of course, one has the right to do so if things go beyond control), they could continue to remain in the party(s) and go on making their concerns louder, open and indeed public. Such a trend was reportedly observed in the last party meeting of a major political party. This sort of pressure within party's(s') by the members particularly those of the younger groups could really make the party(s) democratic process work. It is really not a democratic norm to leave things to the chiefs only for some crucial decisions.

Boycotting the Parliament: The successive opposition parties have been boycotting the Parliament for months thus making the Parliament basically ineffective in terms of democracy. Of course, some of the grievances that led to such boycott appear genuine but the members need to deal with them by staying within the parliament by expressing their views and grievances within the short time allocated to them. It is of course desirable that the members of the parliament are given enough time to express their views which they do on behalf of the electorates. It is necessary to point out that the boycotting members of the successive opposition parties, however, continued to draw the pay and allowances though they did not/do not perform their duties for which they were elected. This cannot be termed as ethical under any acceptable definition. While walking out of the parliament, even several times a day if needed, is a democratic practice, but long absence by way of boycotting the parliament is not an acceptable democratic practice at all. The citizens of this country do want the members of the parliament to remain in parliament and work there for them.

Mid-term election: The demand for mid-term election is undoubtedly a democratic practice, but this should not lead to calling of hartals, and violence disrupting the civil and business life of the citizens. Strike (hartal) is a democratic process, but this must follow certain rules like taking the views/opinion of the people who are affected by such actions. Unfortunately, the parties just declare it even without considering that such a step will lead to immense suffering of people of the country and particularly those who depend on daily earnings for their livelihood. It is also sad that the successive governments have also been using excessive and often unnecessary forces to stop even peaceful demonstrations of the oppositions. This should never happen in a democratic country.

Hartal: The appeal from all quarters including the business chambers to stop hartals have been totally ignored all along. There are certainly other methods to vent their political grievances. One can cite the latest human chain of several miles long undertaken by the main opposition. This had indeed the widest and most effective participation from people of all walks of life. Such programmes are within the democratic norms and certainly more effective and do not create difficulties to the citizens. Indeed, hartals antagonise the people and work in favour of the ruling party. It can be said with almost hundred percent certainty that more hartals will erode whatever support the opposition has. It's time to accept facts.

Governance on the basis of percentage of popular vote:

The period of five years set for any new election is certainly long. It should be brought to four years and that will reduce the chances of agitation for mid-term election unless something goes terribly wrong with the governing party. In Bangladesh politics gets heated very quickly as political parties in the opposition do not have the patience of waiting that long. There are several reasons for that. Let's not discuss those issues here.

But the possible alternative could be to allow governance on the basis of percentage of popular votes received by the political parties. Such a system could lead to governance by the major political parties with or without support of the smaller parties for a period, say, two and half years by one major party and rest by the other major party probably in coalition with other smaller parties. This may lead to peaceful transfer of power without going for any mid-term election.

The most important condition should be that no party will boycott the Parliament. One feels that the division of governance period on the basis of percentage of popular votes to party(s) could end the present type of political unrest. Let there be a system which will lead to less political turmoil and that may ensure some form of good governance. Democracy is not a tight jacket system belonging to a country or group of countries. Anything good for the people and the state should be incorporated into the Constitution of a country to make its own form of democracy work.

Muslehuddin Ahmad is a former Secretary and Ambassador. He is also the Chairman of CIVIC WATCH Bangladesh.