The deepening crisis

The declaration of the ex-PM Begum Khaleda Zia that the opposition must abide by the verdict of the president much before what the president thought about the whole situation, clearly added credence to the critics. It pointed, allegedly, to a pre-planned game in the presidential palace. And we strongly believe, staunch but sensible supporters of BNP would, with hindsight, hold the same view.

By and large, if morning goes to show the day, as critics argue, a neutral general election is unlikely to come from a partisan caretaker government. The celebratory mood of BNP supporters also partly points to that.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

But crying should not continue over the spilt milk. BNP's crocodile tears over the constitutional continuity has long been on record. This time the record has only gained a new groove when the nation witnessed a naked version of the earlier attempts. We do not blame the president for whatever he has done, as we believe that BNP has ill advised him.

For the sake of arresting a further deterioration in his image and stopping bloodshed in the country, we would like to place before him the following steps that he should take up immediately to win confidence of the people. In fact, within a week or so, the inputs should be made visible to the public.

First, and foremost, the government should overhaul the Election Commission by dumping Aziz et al. and constituting the commission in consultation with political parties. Mr President should realize that an election headed by Justice Aziz and his team will never be acceptable home and abroad. The new voter list prepared by the "Aziz factory" should be replaced by the updated voter list.

Second, within a day or two, all secretaries and other officials should be changed and rearranged for a neutral impression. Included in this are all election officials who have been hired and posted on partisan basis. Third, stop all new appointments in institutions, as existing heads are politically appointed by the previous government. Fourth, ensure that law enforcing agencies perform their duties on non-partisan basis.

These are -- if we are allowed to say -- a few of the preliminary planks upon which the president should stand on the heels the accusation that he might not be a neutral head of caretaker government. Of course, there are many other steps that would be required.

The honourable president of the country has two choices before him. First, to act like a party man and pursue policies to suit BNP-Jamaat interest. In fact, not surprisingly, they might want him to be so. That would imply a more than two-thirds victory for them and staging a comeback to power. Only time can tell whether and to what extent that vision will succeed. But suffice it to say, perhaps, that such strategies might consign the professor turned president to the ash-heap of history.

The second option, although seemingly unlikely, might imbibe in him a "sensible" route to prove that a neutral election is possible even under him. That would require a courageous stand over and above his past political affiliations. The president should by now realize that the recent uproar in the country is just the tip of the iceberg. It took place because of the leadership of the 14-party alliance, but was participated in by common people.

The people of this country want their voting rights to be exercised in free and fair manner. If they smell that a conspiracy is being hatched to hijack their choices, all arrangements on that count could cost heavily, not only the president but also the nation. From now on, all liabilities lie on the shoulders of the honourable president of this country.

It is, perhaps, not true that 1996 and 2006 are not the same. In fact, in 2006, people have become more conscious not only about their rights of franchise but also about their voices against economic issues. Kansat, Phulbari, and Shanir Akhra have already fingered at the fire.

The opposition has not lost the battle. I feel that they have already harvested their first moral victory by not allowing KM Hasan to take over. The second victory follows from the first: organizing common people and forcing the government to bow down. The opposition should continue its mobilization of people with a view to establishing people's rights and demolishing the dens of corruption and terrorism. Pitifully though, people will have to continue to fight for their freedom. But there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Abdul Bayes is a Professor of Economics at Jahangirnagar University.