When power becomes means of pillage

As we suffer through our everyday ordeal -- that of water and electricity as well as sky-rocketing prices of the essentials -- the authorities simply come up with an innocent face, thus disarming us of our anger and putting an end to the boiling river of lava running through our veins.

Look at our Law or LGRD Ministers who are enviably unprovoked even while stoutly defending the tricky cases. Yet they, along with others, catalysed many of our miseries. We are told of an "unnayaner joar" (flood of development) even if we witness around us a state of decrepitude, things falling apart, and even withering away, and trust that a mythical developmental surge is underway -- a fact repeated over and again by none other than the Prime Minister at numerous public meetings.

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Empirically, however, the BNP or an alliance led by it has chronic inability to deliver -- let alone the question of a developmental surge.

The incumbent government has a unique strategy to tide over difficult and tricky situations, withstand pressure and give a damn to the opposition's demands, particularly with regard to the upcoming general election.

It's another matter that a grim law and order situation that visibly irks our Home Minister still persists and haunts public safety, as does the nagging perpetuation of corruption often remarked on by the donors and even by our economists.

The pillage of thousand of crores of takes in various sectors of the government as reported by our newsmen is, of course, the matter of privilege for those who wield power. The clever dispensation ruling the country now deftly handles the cases without letting them boiling over.

A braggart opposition whom we try to draw succor from during the crisis now prevailing is equally feckless -- neither capable of winning election nor successfully resorting to street agitation -- what to talk of a mass upsurge to provide a ballast in the society. The result is further misery.

Their constant refrain of toppling the government (no one knows to what end) has become a joke thanks to the brinkmanship of party secretary general. Many suspect that the people would have dispensed with the liability of the incumbent government long before had they found the alternative a trifle better. The enthusiasm of Awami League goes several notches up only when it sees Kansat or Demra exploding.

In the middle of the spectrum are chameleon members of the civil society, the mavericks of which can, at times, throw up sensation, if not substance of any consequence. But the agony persists with our miseries multiplying.

Then there are stray politicians, feel gooders, boot lickers, favour seekers, influence peddlers, the crooks, frauds, and other layabouts who are also the beneficiaries of collateral goodies as the country is indeed up for grabs. And we have to put up with all of these varieties. They all are the same in dealing with us, the public, the real victim of politics and the exploitation in its name.

Even if there is an election at all, what is going to happen? The same mediocrity approaching the public with its mealy-mouthed mendacity, false promises, and syrupy illusions. A despondent public will be led to another river of disasters like the rats of Hamelin.

The pied pipers of Bangladesh would adeptly play their flutes to mesmerise the public to take another plunge into the valley of death -- taking that to be their green pasture of prosperity. The power seekers and power brokers are to be confronted with caution. Are we prepared? The next few months are going to uncover the minefields that lie ahead. Till then what do we do? Perhaps we do that which most people would do: hope for the best, prepare for the worst.

Brig ( retd) Hafiz is former DG of BIISS.