Preventing possible anarchy
WE are worried about recent developments of some ominous signs. With hardly 4 months left for completing 350 upazila elections and the national election, the political situation is warming up even in a relaxed emergency. Some senior politicians say that they are taking full advantage of the relaxed emergency. Already, Sheikh Hasina has criticised (mildly) some activities of the CTG. The BNP secretary general is striving hard for the unconditional release of Khaleda Zia and her eldest son Tarique Zia. He did not even hesitate to issue a 72- hour ultimatum to the CTG in this regard.
The recent elections of four cities and nine municipal corporations indicate that no longer can the central leaders ignore the strength of local leaders. There are enough indications that smooth and successful elections can be accomplished in upazilas as well under relaxed emergency, as was possible in the August 4 election. We are heartened to learn that both the major parties are taking keen interest in the ensuing upazila elections, though they do not admit it openly. However, it appears that BNP is more serious about release of Khaleda and Tarique, instead of organising the divided party. Sheikh Hasina is returning to Bangladesh after completing her medical treatment by the end of September, and her party is trying to have a new round of talks with the CTG about various political issues.
Some front ranking leaders of BNP are saying that the CTG has failed to frame any charge against Khaleda and Tarique as they are innocent and their detention is politically motivated. Delawar has been silent for the last few days because he is frustrated at the nonchalance of the CTG towards his ultimatum.
Only the vice-president of BNP, Mr. M.K. Anwar, is trying to impress upon CTG the importance of release of Khaleda. The other prominent leaders like Major (rtd) Hafiz and Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan are waiting for the final decision about the unity of the party from Khaleda.
Both the parties are pressing hard for complete lifting of emergency. Even some donor countries are in favour of complete withdrawal of emergency to make the election credible, though they are satisfied with the successful local government elections of August 4.
The demand of AL for allowing Hasina to contest may be met if she obtains honourable acquittal from the charges against her. The same treatment can be applied to Khaleda as well. Khaleda's refusal to become a voter may have some ulterior motive. However, we wish that good sense will prevail on her soon.
It may give us some idea about the characters of some politicians close to Khaleda and Tarique if we discuss, in brief, about acquisition of huge wealth by Harris Chowdhury, the political secretary of Khaleda. Among his assets the following are mentioned:
* A 2550 sq. ft. flat worth Tk.5 million in Dhanmondi;
* A flat in Gulshan (market price about Tk.13.7 million);
* A two-storied house on a 5-katha plot in Bashundhara Group worth Tk. 10 million;
* A flat from Boishakhi Television (worth Tk. 15 million);
* A grabbed government residence worth Tk. 125 million;
* A shop in Bangabandhu National Stadium (cost of possession Tk. 1.2 million);
* Illegal monthly income of Tk. 3 million;
* A SUV from Orion Group Tk. 10 million;
* Illegal purchase of Lira Industrial Enterprise from Privatisation Commission;
* Earning of around Tk. 300 million through underhand dealings with M/S Salim ( MP) and Mamun; and
* Carrying out of more than 50 unusual transactions.
If the political secretary can acquire so much wealth through his influence over Khaleda and Tarique, what should be our natural conclusion about them? How can we accept their innocence? Let the court decide about it.
BNP is pressing for release of Tarique for his medical treatment abroad. We hear that his treatment can very well be done in Bangladesh. The relentless effort to release him, according to some, is nothing short of a trick to defeat the CTG. The latest proposal to send Tarique abroad before Khaleda creates more doubt.
It may not be far from the truth that, through her experience in politics, Khaleda has realised that after the exposure of the activities of the BNP-led government during 2001-06, and division of BNP in three groups, there is hardly any possibility for BNP to win the election. She is all the more convinced after the result of the local elections.
The CTG wants to hold a national election fully participated by all parties to convince the outside world about the credibility of the election. At this stage, the government should take the following actions:
* An intensive discussion with the donors, particularly US and EU, about the risk involved in lifting emergency totally. It may point out to the possible disturbances by various students groups, secret reorganisation of militant groups like JMB and Huji, and the inadequate number of law enforcing forces to contain possible violence prior to and after elections due to unfriendly relation among political parties; and
* In Bangladesh common people generally do not bother much about ethics, morality and discipline. The CTG should see that these weaknesses are not exploited by the politicians before and after election.
The CTG will have to take a clear and firm decision as to what extent it can concede privileges to major political parties to ensure a credible election.
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