Political dialogue: Are we losing focus?
DIALOGUE is thought to be derived from the Greek word "dia" and "logos," depicting "through" and "meaning." As per Webster's New World Dictionary, dialogue is defined as "open and frank discussion of ideas, as in seeking mutual understanding." It is generally known to be discussion about a problem, with the intention of coming up with a solution acceptable to all.
A dialogue's outcome is based on the collective wisdom of all the participants as regards in- depth analysis of an issue to arrive at a mutually acceptable meaning or nature of it. Different people may have different ways of looking at an issue, and nobody can probably know those definitely in advance. The outcome of a dialogue is, as such, always uncertain, and is beyond predetermined expectation or result.
Success of a dialogue depends on respect for others' views, logic and expectations. For achieving that, sincere effort, enough time, and readiness to sacrifice to accommodate others' reasonable views are a necessary pre-requisite. It is important that every body involved must have intention and commitment towards the dialogue as a means of ending some problem. But, before anything else, most importantly, there must be a clear idea among the participants about what the problem really is.
Recently, it has been seen that the caretaker government (CTG) has had informal discussions with the political parties. The CTG also had informal discussion with the elected representatives of the apex business body, the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers and Industries (FBCCI). The discussions were described by the CTG as pre-dialogue parleys for the purpose of confidence building among the CTG and the stakeholders in the next general election and in the subsequent governance of the country.
It has also been confirmed by the CTG that a formal dialogue would begin with the same stakeholders sometime during the first half of May. The aim would be to ensure a free and fair election acceptable to all, and dispensation of democratic governance under a reasonably accountable system guaranteeing good governance.
The parties in the dialogue are expected to be the CTG, all political parties, and businessmen. We may also determine to some extent the expectation of each category on the basis of the existing political scenario.
The CTG may emphasise on holding a free and fair election. It may seek cooperation of all political parties. The CTG may also like to have an assurance that the on-going anti-corruption drive would not be hindered, and the concerned whistle blowers and connected persons would get protection after an elected government takes over. The government would probably like continuation of the reconstituted constitutional bodies and the institutional reform measures so far taken.
As regards political parties, there is unanimous agreement that there should be an election for transition to an elected government. This would, in turn, ensure coming back of political parties to the driving seat of state power. Political parties will emphasise that. With that objective in view, most political parties would like to have freedom of political activities and lifting of state of emergency also. Beyond those, it is doubtful that there will be total unity in expectation among different political parties in all other matters.
Some of the smaller political parties under the leadership of Awami League (AL) formed a Grand Alliance (GA) and waged a movement for implementation of definite reform measures before holding of the election for the ninth parliament. The situation was said to be vitiated by the immediate past Four Party Alliance (FPA) government, as they destroyed all institutions and deformed the overall environment in a planned way during the entire period of their tenure to hold a manipulated election where nobody but them could come out successful.
The parties in the FPA were against those demands. But, in spite of resistance from FPA, the election had to be postponed as people by and large supported the demands of GA. Subsequently, a state of emergency was declared and the present CTG was installed on resignation of the previous CTG.
To ensure a level playing field for all contesting parties and also to stop use of money and muscle during election were among the major demands of the parties in the GA. The present CTG is committed to do everything necessary in that direction. The process of making a level playing field for all and stopping the use of muscle and money necessitated arresting and filing of cases against corrupt and violent political party members, and cleaning the administration and constitutional bodies of partisan appointees.
The parties in the GA would naturally give more emphasis on the fair part of the free and fair election. On the other hand, it would be logical for the parties in the FPA to try to utilise the remaining portion of the distorted election environment created by them to manipulate the result in their favour. So the political parties in the FPA may emphasise the "free" portion of the free and fair election and may try to resist actions to ensure fairness.
It is a matter of concern that the said distortion which would still exist at the time of election, might be of considerable dimension. This could well be so, considering the slow pace of the CTG in cleaning the field of corrupt money and muscle, and making it level by clearing the party biased administration. Only a negligible portion of vested interest corrupt and riotous party people could be confined till date. Officials loyal to FPA have been only shifted from one place to another, keeping them intact with their intention and spirit.
It is observed that many important and influential leaders of the two major parties AL and BNP, including the two top leaders, were arrested and/or charge-sheeted for corruption and high-handedness. AL and BNP may try to include release of those leaders a part of the agenda for discussion.
Many other politicians, mostly from these two major parties, may be prosecuted for similar charges. The state of emergency is allowing the CTG better opportunity to expedite the process, of course, at times allegedly at the cost of human rights violations. The earlier the election the less the time for the CTG to carry out their on-going activities in this respect.
Parties in the FPA would like to have the emergency lifted and election held at the earliest. AL in this respect may not need further leveling of playing field or cleaning of bad elements. They would like to emphasise on lifting of emergency and early election.
Smaller political parties would like to have the emergency continue as long as possible, and even a delay in holding of election to assist the CTG in the cleaning operation and also for making the field level before election.
The expectations of the business community have been clearly stated by its leaders after the pre-dialogue discussion. They said they would like to a have an elected political government to create confidence in investors. Moreover, they said that political programs like strikes, sieges, stoppage of transport and port etc, which hamper normal economic activities, are to be stopped. They also showed their support for banning of student wings of political parties.
What could be the expectations of the people at large, who are the owners of the republic? Who is representing them or their views at the dialogue? Basically, the people desire peace and prosperity at all times. They need job opportunities so that they can earn. They want the prices of the necessities to be within their reach so that they can afford those. To achieve these goals we need good governance at all levels.
From past experience it became obvious that for having a government to deliver good governance we need to reform our whole political structure. The existing political culture failed to deliver as per expectation of the people. It has been agreed by all concerned that we need reform of our political parties to make them more transparent and people-oriented by cultivating democratic values.
There should be reforms in political activities and institutions to ensure free and fair election, an effective parliament, a government accountable to the people, strong state institutions, receipt of fair justice, curbing of corruption and violation of human rights, right to information, etc. How could this agenda of the people be fulfilled through this dialogue? Are we losing focus as regards the goal of the recent political dialogue?
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