Hasina, Khaleda should contribute more in future

Khaleda Zia, a former Prime Minister and Chairperson of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) released from prison on September 11 at 12 noon, and this event provides a very significant development in the politics of Bangladesh. Earlier, about three months ago, Sheikh Hasina, another former Prime Minister and President of Bangladesh Awami League (AL) was also freed from imprisonment on medical ground. Both of them were arrested for corruption charges.

Immediate after the release of Khaleda Zia, BNP declared that the party will join elections and dialogue. The other significant political decision came out from this party when Tareque Rahman- the elder son of Khaleda Zia and also regarded as the alternative power house of BNP resigned from his party position.

Tareque Rahman was the senior joint secretary in BNP portfolio and also detained for corruption charges. After tendering resignation, Tareque leaved Dhaka for London where he will be under medical treatment. Party sources said Tareque needs a long treatment for his ailment.

On the other hand, AL imprisoned General Secretary Abdul Jalil freed from jail and stated that now he is the General Secretary of his party instead of acting one and reaffirmed that he will be in politics till death.

Acting president of AL Zillur Rahman endorsed Jalil’s declaration in presence of powerful Presidium members of the party. It should be mentioned that in AL, Zillur Rahman and Syed Ashraful Islam are serving the party as acting president and general secretary since the imprisonment Sheikh Hasina and Abdul Jalil.

Just after the declaration of Abdul Jalil, Sheikh Hasina told to the party leadership that Syed Ashraful should continue as acting general secretary of AL and Abdul Jalil should make clear the party about his statement that he was no more in politics while in custody. Sheikh Rehana, only sister of Sheik Hasina, also expressed her opinion in favour of Syed Ashraf from London saying that Syed Ashraf is to continue his responsibility.

Political analysts are saying that resignation of Tareque Rahman and assertive opinion by Sheikh Rehana on party matters are very noteworthy happenings in the politics of Bangladesh. Tareque Rahman was in very far from party mechanism up to 2001. He came in to the lime light of BNP politics after holding state power by BNP and emerged as senior joint secretary of the party and became one of the important leaders.

It is well-known that at the last tenure of BNP government, Tareque Rahman was in the focal point as alternative powerhouse. His release from jail followed by resignation from party portfolio might be an understanding between military backed interim government and BNP, the analysts mentioned. About Sheikh Rehana’s opinion on party matter, political Analysts said, it is a signal for AL and the Nation that the younger daughter of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman may be in the political process if necessary. Both the happenings deserve a long observation the analysts added.

In the mean time, one advisor of the interim government said to press that the Government has an intention to sit with two pivotal leaders together at the same table. Dr. Hussain Zillur Rahman, advisor of interim government and who is usually talk to the press on political affairs, said that by freeing Khaleda Zia a national election participating by all parties is being ensured. By this achievement first steer to the democracy has been overcome; now government should work on the qualitative changes of the politics. He also mentioned that both the leaders (i.e. Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia) have very important political role in the past; they should contribute more in future he added.

It should be stated that, in Bangladesh AL and BNP are the major political parties. But it is so sad that the number-ones of these parties have no social and personal relationship. Even they do not talk each other; they do not greet directly each other. As of history these two was in a decision making process from a single table for a single time while they were engaged in the struggle for democracy in the 80s of last century that was mediated by the elderly journalist Foez Ahmed.

According to some senior political analysts, this lack of communication is the parent of many political problems of Bangladesh. If interim government could make the difficult job possible, would be a land mark achievement they further mentioned.

By this time government hinted that State of Emergency would be reduced to the minimal stage and the political parties will be permitted to convene council or congress. Election Commission (EC) also step backed and said that they may arrange election of 70 Upazila (sub district) out of 482 before the parliament poll. Now it could be said that a win-win situation is prevailing among the military backed interim government and the political parties. If this situation lead to a credible and acceptable national election would be a noble achievement for better democratic Bangladesh.