Immediately after assuming power as the chief advisor to the caretaker government, Dr Fakaruddin Ahmed declared state of emergency, imposed ban on all political activities and cancelled the election scheduled to have been held on January 22. He reached in an agreement with the army chief Md. Mainuddin and started countrywide anti-corruption operations. So far, not less than 170 political leaders and businessmen of various status were caught in the net of law. Prominent among them are former Home Minister in the Khaleda Zia government Lutfujjaman Babar, Khaleda'selder son Tareq Rahman and Aoami League general secretary Abdul Jalil. Many other ex ministers and prominent leaders are also now in jail. Ahmed government alleged both the former Prime Ministers, Begam Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina Wazed, of murder, criminal conspiracy, etc. Legal advisor to the government has indicated that additional courts may be established for the speedy trial of the special cases. Verdicts have to come before the election process is initiated.
A group of intellectuals have started campaigning that a big change in the top leadership of Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Aoami League is imminent. It'sessential for the coming up of new generation leadership as well as transparency in the polity. This group strongly supports the activities of the army guided interim government headed by the former Central Bank Governor Dr Fakaruddin Ahmed. Dr Ahmed assured that his government would hold free and fair election within the minimum possible time. But poll reforms must be completed before that.
Though not declared, still change in the top leadership of major political parties is one of the reformation agenda of the government. It is all out to oust Zia and Hasina from the scene through legal process. As because, so far, government remained unsuccessful in agreeing the subordinate leadership of these parties to select the political heirs of their respective party chiefs. Therefore, the only way left is the route of law.
The enlightened sections of people of Bangladesh are of the view that so-called great popular leaders have gifted the country with nothing but corruption and fundamentalism. They have made her a safe haven for Islamic extremists, suppressed the long past of mutual co-existence, vanished real history and traditions, encouraged middle aged Islamic fanaticism and gave free hand to fundamentalists to use religious institutions like masjids and madrassas as the production centres of jihadi terrorists.
Terrorism in the name of Islam has given a very bad name to the country. Pakistan that once executed mass killing generated oppression and snatched away the soul of Bengali nationhood, is now again dominating the society through it'stainted organisation Inter Services Intelligence. Widespread corruption and religious ultraism did not benefit the common people, rather hardened the lifestyles. That'swhy they are now exhausted with all these and seeking a silent revolution and drastic change from deterioration to development. They foresee that this transformation could be possible through the present regime and not by the backdated great fellows. Such expectation has encouraged them to dedicate full support, though unsound, to the invisible coalition between army and interim government.
Exploiting this public positivity, the government seems to change the shape of democracy. In which the state will interfere into internal democracy of political parties that would ultimately control the democracy of the state. But the main question remained unanswered. Are they really honest to the nation'sinterest? Or just paving the way for neo styled autocrats?
(The writer is a journalist and can be contacted at [email protected])
