Three-year score-card: Not a whacking success

There are, however, basic differences between the rule of Ayub Khan and the parliamentary democracy in Bangladesh. Ayub Khan's 'basic democracy' was all but an apology for the term 'democracy', he remained a dictator throughout. The present democratic government of Bangladesh (though it tries to run like dictatorship at times) is certainly accountable to the people. As a military dictator Ayub depended mainly on bureaucracy. We are confused as to the dependence of the present government. In its quest for fulfilling its vision or objective it has completely politicised bureaucracy following the bad lesson from the previous regimes. Even some more experienced and seasoned politicians of the party have to be contented with their existence at the periphery of power. It is true that to make a party dynamic the younger elements must be encouraged. This, however, does not mean that the more experienced and knowledgeable politicians should be sacrificed for attaining dynamism. Balance should be maintained between the old and the new.

Three-year rule of the Four-party Alliance, despite its minor successes in certain areas cannot be regarded as successful. It has, in fact failed miserably to fulfil its commitments in major areas like law and order and corruption. This is perhaps due to its lack of confidence (possibly because of lack of understanding) within and lack of courage to face the unsavoury truth, and lack of experience in handling a coalition government. Its habitual attempt to put all the blames on the opposition parties (particularly Awami League) has resulted in losing its face as a true democratic government. As a representative government holding such a huge majority in the parliament there cannot be any sanely reason as to why it tries hard to avoid admitting its follies. After all no government is infallible. There will be success and there may be failures. Admitting failures and taking remedial measures in time will bring sympathy of the people for it. Avoidance of admitting failures will create credibility gap. What is needed is transparency. People have the right to know the actual state of affairs and not just prepared statements which the people hesitate to accept.

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Gross failures in controlling crimes and curbing corruption have tarnished the image of the government both inside and outside the country. It is also no use putting all the blames on the media, as it often does.

Right from the start of the government people were critical about the capability of the home ministry. However, it would not be correct to say that home ministry was efficient during the previous regime. The present deterioration of the law and order is apparently due to (a) low morale of police force, (b) lack of logistics of the police force, (c) lack of modern arms, (d) lack of adequate training of police personnel, (e) politicisation and (f) political interferences. In fact politicisation started during the previous regime. The present government has adopted it as a precautionary and retaliatory measure. This has, however, affected the common people. Now people feel totally insecure. The problem of politicisation is that the neutral personnel (who may be more efficient) dare not remaining neutral and lose interest in service. This damages the overall efficiency of police force. If the police personnel are under pressure of political interference their morale remains low. With low morale, obsolete arms, inadequate logistic support and lacking in proper training of police personnel, it may be asking too much if one expects high level of efficiency. The operations like "clean heart" and actions of the forces like Rab and Cheeta may only bring temporary relief, this is no permanent solution. Moreover, actions of these bodies may be restricted due to complaint against them of violating the constitution and human rights, etc.

Corruption is deep rooted in Bangladesh. Though corruption existed in Pakistani days, some top officials were dismissed in Pakistan under martial law regulation 58. These personnel's history of services were thoroughly examined and all the evidences were meticulously analysed and they were found guilty. Awami League in looking only to its party interest, appointed a number of these personnel to important positions (prime minister's secretariat, ministry of finance etc). The present government has also accommodated a few personnel whose antecedents are dubious. Compromise with corruption appears to have been done in party's interest. It is, however, doubtful how far corrupt personnel can serve the greater interest of the party.

It is unrealistic to expect much from an oversized administration. It was expected that there would be drastic change in the jumbo cabinet. Nothing beyond some cosmetic change has happened. Thus instead of improvement in governance the situation deteriorated. In fact it has mainly become a government of inaction, intolerance and indolence. Inefficient handling of foreign affairs has resulted in branding us by some as 'failed state'. The fact is that winning at the polls and running an administration efficiently and effectively are not the same. If bureaucracy cannot be handled properly, if bureaucracy is interfered by the politicians frequently, if bureaucracy is not allowed to remain neutral, if the quality of the bureaucrats deteriorate, then how a government can fulfil its commitments to the nation? We do not see any answer to this ticklish question.

But despite its many faults, follies and failures it may not be appropriate to ask for its resignation because our experience with the previous government was not also very happy. Thus it cannot be assured that a reelection will bring a government capable of handling the extremely onerous and difficult task of running the administration efficiently. What is immediately needed is (a) reforming the administration, (b) allowing bureaucracy to remain neutral as far as possible, (c) giving some exemplary punishment to those corrupt. There may be an attempt at forming a national government based on consensus among major parties.

Reaching a consensus among major political parties is a difficult task though not impossible. Politics is always a matter of compromise and adjustment. What is needed is holding of serious dialogues on continuous basis. If China and USA could hold secret talks during the most dangerous period of communist-non communist confrontation, why BNP and Awami League cannot sort out their differences. In the past they fought together to establish democratic order in the country. To bring peace, prosperity and placidity in the country both the parties shall have to bring some changes in their political strategies. Following points may be considered by BNP:

(a) No easy access for professional turncoats, govt officials with bad reputation, inexperienced, less knowledgeable and less educated politicians or businessmen.

(b) Discouraging entry of rich and influential mastans.

(c) Maintenance of balance between the hardliners and the moderates and between the junior and senior party members.

Awami League may consider the following:

(a) Acceptance of the reality that Bangladesh is no longer the same it was three and half decades back.

(b) No difference be made between Awami League freedom fighters and non-Awami League freedom fighters and even freedom fighters and non-freedom fighters.

(c) Instead of showing a bent for socialistic pattern of economy they may think more about the need for promoting private sector;

(d) Instead of spending too much time on recapitulating the memories of the war of liberation they must start looking forward;

(e) They must accept the bad effect of politicisation;

(f) Politicians living on the strength of mastan culture must not be allowed entry in the party.

To improve the present situation the BNP-led government should start taking positive steps for attaining healthy atmosphere in politics. Concentrating mainly on winning votes cannot ensure them of good governance. Without good governance they cannot fulfil their commitments. Whatever statements are made by the leaders of BNP fact remains that the country is neither "shining" nor its people are "feeling good". Therefore act now to stem the rot.

ABMS Zahur is a retired Joint Secretary.