The long awaited Dialog, between the interim government and the political parties of Bangladesh, has been started on 22nd May with the participation of two parties in first day. Though larger parties including Bangladesh Awami League (AL), Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Jatio Party (JP) and Jamate Islami Bangladesh (popularly known as Jamat) not yet informed the government that when they are going to take part in Dialog, 17 political parties have submitted their list of representative for Dialog. An Advisor of government said that by June 2008 the Dialog could be concluded.
AL and Khaleda loyalist BNP was saying that without Sheik Hasina and Begume Khaleda Zia a Dialog could not be a fruitful any thing. They were demanding the release of Sheik Hasina and Begume Zia, at least for a grant of parole for these two imprisoned former Prime Minister to join in the Dialog.
Jamat was not unwilling to join in the Dialog. Very recently the Amir (Chief) of Jamat and former Industry Ministry Mr. Motiur Rahman Nizami had arrested for corruption charge. After the imprisonment of Amir, Jamat become confused about the joining in the Dialog and put the condition of unconditional release of Motiur Rahman Nizami.
On the other hand the faction of BNP known as reformist become almost ineffective as most of the senior leaders including Mr. Abdul Mannan Bhuyan, the mastermind of the faction, had arrested for corruption charge. Before the arrest, Mr. Bhuyan and other reformist leaders said to their flowers that Party should keep unified under the leadership of Begume Zia. Other unwilling political parties have no clear opinion about there unwillingness.
Meanwhile acting General Secretary of AL stated that his party has already started talk with the partner parterres of 14-Party alliance on Dialog issue. An extension meeting of AL is schedule for 26th May and the issue of Dialog will be discussed in the meeting. AL general secretary also said that according to the opinion of grassroots leaders, executive committee will take decision on the issue.
BNP said that the meeting of 4-party alliance will take decision on the issue. Mentionable that Jamat, the important ally of BNP led 4-party alliance was not willing to keep effective the alliance after One/Eleven of 2007. In fact 4-party alliance was shattered by unwillingness of Jamat and division in BNP. Latest Arrest of BNP-Jamat leaders inspired to reactivate the alliance, in which included BNP, Jamat, Bangladesh Jatio Party and Islami Okya Jot (IOJ). Jamat and IOJ are known as party of fundamentalists.
An advisor of interim government is expecting that finally all political parties will participate in the Dialog. Few former advisors of caretaker government, civil society leaders and intellectuals of the country have also expecting that this Dialog will make a success by the government and the politicians to complete the process of establishing democracy in Bangladesh. Few of them said that the interim government and the politician must reach on an agreement on the future of democracy, if need with some adjustment and compromise with their respective stand point.
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) said that handling political parties is the responsibility of government; he stated that an election could be acceptable to all, if participation of all could be ensured. In this point government is responsible to manage the political parties. After a sincere initiative, if the election would not be acceptable to all, it would be a disgrace for the nation.On local government election he mentioned that Commission is preparing to hold election in four City Corporation and few other Municipalities on the third week of July. He also mentioned that as of road map declared by the Election Commission, Upazila (sub-district) Council election is to be held before holding National Election on or before December 2008. At that time politicians have no questions, now why the parties opposing to do it, CEC asked to the politicians.
It is a fact for development that a stronger local government system could ensure a better democracy in a nation and fair development in all over the country. In Bangladesh a Member of Parliament and an Upazila Chairman are representing all most same number of people. That is why MPs are always felt potential leadership risk from Upazila chairman. As a result Upazila council election is a long pending issue for the nation. Any way this issue also would be a vital agenda in the Dialog.
While the government and the political parties are engaged in a juncture of Dialog, at that time the US Ambassador to Dhaka comments on the political scenario of Bangladesh. US Ambassador Mr. Jems F. Moriarty said that if Bangladesh failed to hold an election in 2008, the political scenario of Bangladesh would be worse. He stated that a long term unelected government is not good for any country.
Mr. Moriarty cited Pakistan as example and said that many of programs taken by Mr. Pervez Mosharraf were good but he was in power for long time without people’s mandate. As a result he becomes unpopular in his country. US Ambassador was addressing at a luncheon organized by American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh.
Here should be told that Democracy is only the best alternative of governance and Bangladesh needs it as soon as possible.
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