No need for caretaker government reform

Under Justice Latifur Rahman every voting centre was absolutely free from any kind of terrorism, mastani, anarchy and party influence. Voters came, cast their votes according to their own wishes. Agents of all parties were sitting in voting centres. They could not exercise any influence as the presiding officer was given absolute power. Security personnel were kept alert. Nobody was given any scope to create any kind of anarchy.

When the counting began, all the party agents were present including the observers and newsmen. In the presence of all these persons the presiding and polling officers counted the votes with absolute honesty. Nobody could do anything which might be taken as the fault of the caretaker government. Then the result was submitted duly signed by the presiding officer. The result was acceptable to the newsmen and observers. How the fictitious claim of changing the result is raised? Who would dare to change the result in that secured situation? Actually we never want to judge ourselves and our deeds. During the reign of AL what happened in the country must be given a serious consideration. Terrorism reached its peak. The people of this country are traditionally religious minded. Many religious minded people were arrested labelling them as members of fictitious religious extremist groups. These seriously influenced the election result.

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AL played the pioneering role in the freedom movement. People's expectation from the party was obviously much. But what they got from the party have really baffled them. They got nepotism, terrorism and change in name of some organisations. These things must be given consideration.

The people of Dhaka have been suffering from mosquito menace. We achieved independence thirty three years back. Over the period we failed to eradicate the mosquitoes. If any government or party can eradicate the mosquitoes, definitely all people of Dhaka irrespective of their party affiliation or leaning must appreciate it and give vote to the party. No government has taken any pragmatic and fruitful steps to make Dhaka a misquote free city. No government seemed bothered about the sufferings of the people. The then mayor told the people of Dhaka city to bear the brunt of mosquitoe bite. So what's the headache of the common people to send a party to the power when they don't get any practical benefit from that party. We never try to give even a little consideration to it.

People get to the street and remain stranded hour after hour. No pragmatic steps were taken by the then government. People suffered a lot for the failure of electricity. People don't expect that any party or government would turn the country into a Sonar Bangla overnight. But they can understand the sincerity and effort of the government and the party. After assuming power any party or government should give topmost priority to curbing terrorism, creating employment opportunities, containing illegal toll collection, stopping police oppression, producing electricity etc. Had these steps been taken by any government people must send the party to power next time. We never bother about these things. We just want to go to power. Why? People understand the motive.

The people of this country are poor but conscious. If they can continue their business and other activities unhindered, definitely they will give vote to the party which gave them the opportunity. This country has not yet seen this kind of parry. People are hostages to the political parities. They give votes to a party finding no other alternative. What the country will gain through the change of caretaker government system or changing the government? Will the common people get peace, security or prosperity?

Some critics opine that the chief of caretaker government should not be allowed to exercise absolute power like a prime minister though he does all the works of a PM during his tenure. As he is not accountable to the people, he should not be allowed to exercise power like a prime minister. Very wrong idea. If the chief advisor of caretaker government cannot exercise absolute power it will be quite impossible for him to run the election in a free and fair way. Normally political cadres, possessors of arms and touts wait to exercise their power as soon as their respective party government comes to power. Psychologically they consider the caretaker government weak.

The critics continue to say the caretaker government must remain accountable to the combined political leadership of the country. Yes, the proposal sounds very good. But does the practical political scenario of Bangladesh allow or make such thing possible? Can our political leadership come under the same banner on any matter of national importance? So why this impractical proposal? When AL will be in the power BNP will say the same thing against the caretaker government. That does not mean that the caretaker government is not honest or election was not fair.

Critics say a national consensus government headed by a person of outstanding integrity should be chosen as the head of caretaker government? This is another utopian idea. Wasn't Justice Shahabuddin a person like this? Could he save himself totally either from the wrath of AL and BNP when the party interest mattered?

One critic says that it never occurred to his mind that 'Latifur Rahman would prove himself as a very shrewd player and performer. Holding the reins of responsibility in a tight grip he could harass and embarrass anybody he liked to. None could think that he would put to shame the party which chose him as chief advisor of the caretaker government'. What does it mean? The party selected him to work for them, not neutrally? If it is so then why they pretend to talk about neutrality? Finding no other alternative people vote to power a party with many of its faults and limitations. People want economic emancipation and terrorism free country.

Don't blame the caretaker government. Try to do something for the country and for the people. People will vote you to power. Try to love the country like Mahathir Mohammad. Try to show something like Mahathir Mohammad. Try to lead the country from a poor state to an emerging tiger of Asia in respect of economy, industrial and agricultural development like Malaysia. It has become possible by the undisputed leadership of Mahathir Mohammad.

Md. Masum Billah is an NGO activist.