We will know tomorrow whether Awami League AKA Mohajote will go to election or not.
Even as late as last week all the indications were that AL was going to election and AL leaders said that under prevailing situation, it was possible to go to election. A grand alliance nomination list was finalized and submitted.
Now as Ershad’s nomination got cancelled, the situation has changed. Again suddenly the prevailing situation is apparently being perceived to be hostile for a ‘free and fair election’.
Can Awami League boycott the election at this point?
1. Won’t the nation think that AL is boycotting the polls for the fallen dictator Ershad? (Coincidentally another dictator Saddam got hanged publicly in the same week).
2. AL just signed a very controversial, self conflicting electoral pact with some religious bigots. Without an election, how would this pact help AL in its upcoming street agitations?
3. Wasn’t it Ershad who forced AL into election by repeated statements that JP will go to election with candidates in 300 seats if AL boycotts the polls?
4. There is a damaging lack of analysis or legal statement supporting the court ruling against Ershad. All people are hearing are either from Ershad’s lawyers or Mr. Jalil. My only source other then Ershad lawyers is a TV interview with Retd Justice Golam Rabbani, who is definitely not a BNP aligned judge and a much respected Prothom-Alo legal contributor. Justice Rabbani was very very confident and vocal in favor of the RO and EC rulings against Ershad. Statements from eminent jurists like Dr Kamal Hossain, Barrister Amirul Islam would have helped the nation at this time.
5. Not surprisingly, Ershad, who is dreaming of a comeback, is again flanked by some “Boshonter Kokils”. They were never seen after fall of Ershad. Anisul Islam Mahmood, Ziauddin Bablu (Father of destruction of student politics), Kazi Zafar didn’t face much of the wrath of most of the post Ershad governments.
6. AL lost the street agitation momentum it created just before the power handover. Election is only 3 weeks away. Is it sufficient time to create another massive agitation? With a single declaration of deploying army, Mr. Jalil started saying that the call for Bangavaban blockade was a rumor. How much mohajote can do with Army actively in the field?
January 2, 2007 at 3:48 pm
Rumi bhai:
If Ershad was with BNP party alliance – would we be even going through this?
So let’s not kid ourselves that this is about the law or about Jalil or Justice Rabbani or whatever. It’s politics. That’s all it is.
January 2, 2007 at 10:28 pm
It once again proves that Awami-alliance have no confidence on people or votes and all of their movements were nothing but excuses to have gurantee of winning before the election.
They think they can’t afford to lose in this election. As they were not confident of sure success, they have had continued agitations and anarchies from Jalil 30th April trump card to all issues of street movements like correct voter lists, KM Hasan, Aziz or Zakaria etc. All were nothing but mere excuses to get an environment that will ensure their victory.
When they got LDP, Ershad and some Islamic parties like Zaker, Tariqat, Khelafat Majlish etc Awami-alliance thought they have fianlly got a fairly assured chance of winning then they decided to come to election. But unexpectedly, when they found Ershad is no more elligible to participate in election their calculation changed. Because everybody knows without Ershad Jatio party is almost nil and jatio party workers will lose their enthuisiasm
if Ershad is not in the feild and that may cutdown the Jatio party vote base. With this changed situation they are again using the same lame excuse of absence of environment for free and fair election. But they don’t undrestand how nakedly they’re exposed of their unfair game of blaming the caretaker governement.
Thanks.
January 2, 2007 at 10:42 pm
It is unfortunate that within 16 years of 1990, we are again discussing Ershad. Now even a national election is about to be boycotted only because Ershad’s nomination is cancelled! Are we really that much forgiving as a nation? It’s not about if Ershad is with AL or BNP. If Ershad went with BNP, I would have hated it the same way! I was there in Dhaka in 1990 and I was a student at that time. I have seen how a nation revolted against him. Was that simply politics then? If all of it is really “simply” politics, then I don’t think we need that politics in Bangladesh. We also don’t need those politicians who plays with a nation’s emotion and lives of people. Besides, does it make any sense to boycott a national election for one person? A corrupt, former dictator at that!! I think the national debate should be about that. Not about if Ershad is with BNP or AL.
I hope our “elites” will try to call whites whites and blacks blacks without first thinking about if it is politically correct for them. We need those “buddhijibi”s who can explain complex issues to simple people as it is, without having a dog in the fight! Because, the simple people of Bangladesh really look up to them for just that.
January 3, 2007 at 4:24 am
AL’s boycotting the election. The blockade on the 7th and 8th will be the most violent in history, methinks.
January 3, 2007 at 6:47 am
AL -13 party alliance, LDP had decided to go to election in the face of real concerns that the election has been pre-rigged.BNP-Jamati sponsores caretaker govt is showing constitutionality to cheat BD out of a fair election- constutional amendments can be done.And the AL0JSD-GF-LDP demands are democratic demands, not partisan demands.If BNP is against that, then its motives are ver suspect.By using RAB as a fast dispenser of “street justice” and bombing opposition rallies/assassinating opposition leaders time after time, BNP has lost any moral claim on representating democratuc values.
AL-JSD-GF-LDP are not saying they consider any election they dont win as pre-rigged.They have given very specific points , which are non-partisan democratic reforms.This is the crux of the problem.So they are not exactly crying wolf.They have seen the wolf and they have also been bitten by the wolf (ASM Kibriya many others).
When some group calls for transparency, there is no problem.We have to remember that the current caretake govt system worked quite well earlier, until BNP did a sly change in age if eligible chief justice to precipitate the present situation.
January 3, 2007 at 9:47 am
BREAKING NEWS
Hasina announces poll boycott
Sheikh Hasina Wednesday announced the mega-alliance’s boycott of the January 22 polls, erasing the last hope for an all-party election by the deadline. Hasina was flanked by two former presidents HM Ershad and Badruddoza Chowdhury, who endorsed her decision. From a press conference at Dhaka Sheraton Hotel, the mega alliance leader asked all candidates to sign out of the polls. Hasina announced a countrywide demonstration for Friday. The mega alliance will enforce the blockade for January 7-8. Ershad must be allowed to take part in the elections, Hasina demanded. Ershad described the poll boycott as historic. Taking part in the Jan election is similar to suicide, said Badruddoza. bdnews24.com senior correspondents Kamran Reza Chowdhury and Sumon Mahbub report.
January 3, 2007 at 10:47 am
Garga Chatterjee, thank you! And that’s what I’ve saying all the time. My last post on this is here: http://framedland.com/nikonian/?p=30
And do you know on NTV, they are already talking that Saifur Rahman, Tareq Rahman are now already MPs because there’s no contestant????
No offense to commentators here as well as DP expats writing here, but most of the time, most of you talked without checking where’s the light and darkness. You talked unnecessary things about Ershad, deals with BKS and so on. Nothing is more important than having a true democratic election like Garga said today. Don’t think it’s because Ershad they are boycotting or because they will lose it. Garga is 100% correct in analysing the situation, unlike many of you who’d only criticise Grand Alliance for doing this and that.
I know very well what is happening internally because I know people ARE working behind the scenes, one group trying hard to rig election and one group trying desperately to save democracy.
You can discuss and post and write, but please dont try to shove things in to people’s mind by analysing things in a very wrong way.
Thank you very much!
January 3, 2007 at 10:47 am
Awami League’s natural instincts had all along been to go for elections. Almost all surveys (including Nizam Kamran Chowdhury’s) conducted showed that if a free and fair election was held the AL led Mega-Alliance would win a healthy majority in the Parliament.
It was this prospect that made AL initially agree to accept President Iajuddin as Chief Advisor. The AL was still on the election course when the four Advisers resigned on the grounds that an environment for a free and fair election was not present and there was no possibility of such an election by the 90 day time-frame. Even when it became blatant that the President was working in a shamelessly partisan manner by appointing a BNP aspirant-candidate as the Election Commissioner, AL still refused to be derailed from the election process.
If AL went into a “engineered” election with a seriously flawed voters’ list the party would be betraying the people. We, the people, have a fundamental right to franchise. When an election is being planned for 22nd January without even making the voters’ list public, such a election will be nothing but a farce. That will be a slap on the face of our democracy…similar to the 15 February 1996 election conducted by the BNP.
I am sure everyone will agree that we want a free and fair election, regardless of who wins. Therefore, we should not accept a farcical election. We deserve better. I am shocked that the BNP (through Mr. Iajuddin) would go to such lengths and raise the stakes so high just to retain political power for one more term.
January 3, 2007 at 11:48 am
I am disappointed to see what is happening in Bangladesh. I do not see any end
of this political crises and this may lead to a national crises in Bangladesh.
I am not a support of any parties in Bangladesh. But I am entitled to provide
my opinion what is good and what is bad. I have been telling in various blogs
that post election activities are crucial for Bangladesh survival. I believe
that we have already diminished the good effect of Dr. Yunus recognition of the
world. We have seen continue Aboroth recently in Bangladesh which is paralyzing
the country’s economical life line.
Now AWL will not join the upcoming election which means that they will continue
Aboroth and Hortal for the next 5 years in Bangladesh. I am not sure if any
person with a head can not think what will bring this hell to Bangladesh. Out
of 140 million people, 112 million people live under $ 1 a day in Bangladesh.
With the infighting picture of these political parties foreign direct investment
(FDI) will be close to zero soon. Who will take a risk to investment in
Bangladesh? They can start Aboroth anytime, port and transportation system can
be closed anytime when one party call for Aboroth and Hortal. So the bottom line
is this, I don’t like to sound cruel, but I pray to God please take those two
women from the earth and spare life to 140 million people in Bangladesh. I
believe that if head is gone, rest will be gone and will abide what public want
in Bangladesh.
I might sound pessimistic about situation in Bangladesh but I am looking at the
economical point of view. Now-a-day two powerful countries like China and India
are busy with the economical development in their countries and Bangladesh is
busy in fighting to capture the power. Bangladesh has so much potential since
major economical development is shifting to Asia and South Asia. Even
Bangladesh has huge opportunity in the pharmaceuticals sector after the Garments
industries, Bangladesh lack on progress because of the political agitation and
corruption.
I as an expatriate professional am trying to help Bangladesh pharmaceutical sector,
but I get frustrate when I see continue unrest in Bangladesh. I have been
working with few projects in Bangladesh to capture worldwide markets and
investment funds for the pharmaceutical sector. Project details can be found at
http://www.amreteckpharma.com. I am not sure how far I will go with those projects if
situation doesn’t get better this year. Please add your comments and see what
can be done if any.
Best wishes,
M. M. Chowdhury, Chemical Engineer, MBA (on going)
CEO & Founder, Amreteck LLC, USA
http://www.amreteckpharma.com
January 3, 2007 at 11:50 am
Once again AL proved that honesty is not a word in their vocabullary! Just last week, they have agreed to go to the elections having all the circumstances that we have today. And this week, the only thing that has changed from the last week is the fact that Ershad has been classified as un-eligible for the elections and as a result, JP is now on a anti-election mode. All this talk about voter list and Iajuddin and everything else was there last week when AL agreed to participate and are there today when Al don’t want to participate. So when Hasina and AL tries to sell their non-agreement on those lame issues, it’s just shows their dishonesty as a party! I’m not saying BNP is doing everything right. But at least they’re consistent. But AL changes even their lies.
Again, I think the debate should be about whether or not a national election should be boycotted for a corrupt dictator who was brought down from power just 16 years ago by the people.
January 3, 2007 at 12:02 pm
I think AL is not going to election due to Ershad not because election engineering. Otherwise they would not have said yes to election couple of weeks back. I am for Ershad to perticipate in the election as we all know Hasina, khaleda and Ershad are all the same. All of them are as corrupt, ruthless and shameless as the other ones. They are all god mothers and god fathers and want to destroy Bangladesh. This democracy is sham in Bangladesh. I think it is high time for Army to take control of Bangladesh and ban all kind of political activities and give all of the big party heads of AL, BNP and the fringes a serious flogging.
January 3, 2007 at 12:49 pm
an uncle of mine has an interesting fish political theory. well its more of a one way analogy.
a fish can change direction very easily by simply shifting its head.
our people eat fish and change direction easily and frequently. thats voters and leaders.
then theres the one about the mouldable, alluvial soil…
Theres always a rational for boycotting or not boycotting. The vaccilation just annoys me. however this is only what we can expect from these children.
Rumis 6th point.
Im quite sure that the Moha Jote has some undeclared moves up its sleeves. but for sure, if the action in the coming days gets nutty, i fear they will be creamed by the martial forces and it wont earn them too much blood capital(sympathy).
i think that theres another factor involved. its not mentioned here very often. If the Awami League loses, it may lead to an earlier ‘game over’ signal for the ideas and forces that they represent.
Losing an election after a single term is our democratic tradition, as is the killing of the losing sides student and vulnerable leadership. Our people collectively dont stick to political ideologies very constantly (cf fish theory) especially when they dont work.
Losing 2 elections in a row in the midst of fundamental changes(or return) in underlying social political outlook is a critical injury (signalled by Rumis 2nd point).
Therefore this desperation maybe behind their latest u-turning.
January 3, 2007 at 12:50 pm
What a sad sad moment for the country –
In 1990 Ershad was a “Soirachar” now 16 years later entire democratic process of the country is in jeopardy because he has become great friend of democracy. What has Ershad done for Bangladesh and its people that everyone forgot his ruthless military rule?
January 3, 2007 at 1:05 pm
20 days left and no voter list?
Today was the last day to withdraw your nomination and no voter list yet.
In fact multiple voter lists are being prepared in some places – one for the returning officers and presiding officers and one for the rest of us.
Fantastic decision by Mohajote!
January 3, 2007 at 1:10 pm
A belated yet right decision by AL. It would have been much better if they had boycotted the election much earlier (right after the 4 advisers had resigned) and went for all out movement. Now they make decision to boycott after Ershad is ruled out of the election, which weakens their stand that they are boycotting protesting election engineering.
Anyway, AL should go to a strong stand, not a shaky one, while they are on the streets. Unfortunately, AL’s decision of late had been the most shaky ones and had shown that they lack proper plans of action to counter BNP Jamaats vote rigging plots.
January 3, 2007 at 3:34 pm
Taimur,
Are you participating in the AL movement in person?
January 3, 2007 at 4:50 pm
Why is that important, Marco ?
January 3, 2007 at 7:20 pm
is that a yes then?
respect to the dude for being committed, how many folks here will actually be street fighting..sorry !1 peacefully protesting.
January 3, 2007 at 9:13 pm
Because it seems intellectually dishonest to advocate something for others that you’re not doing yourself.
January 3, 2007 at 9:25 pm
Dear Timur,
About your comments:”It would have been much better if they had boycotted the election much earlier (right after the 4 advisers had resigned) and went for all out movement”.
At that time JP would participate election. Actually AWL was forced by JP to declare that it would participate election. LDP, 11 party and even most of the AWL presidium members were opposed to Sk. Hasina’s decision. However, Ershad phoned Iajuddin and told that he would participate even if AWL does not.
BNP had game plan for a election without AWL but with JP and other parties. It had planned to create faction of AWL. At least here BNP failed.
January 3, 2007 at 9:55 pm
Timur,
It is important because are you willing to donate your blood and sweat for AL agitation which is only good for destroying our economy or you are just sitting in some foreign land and supporting the “oborodh” while some poor “Tokai” gives their lives for getting AWL in power. As far as I am concern BNP and AWL are all the same. I really do not give a rat’s arse about who gets in power. Only thing that is happening with all this so called election that our country is being pushed back 50 years while rest of the world is marching ahead. If you think that “mohajot” will make our country better then wake up and smell the coffee.It will merely be hand over of power from one bunch of chor to another.
January 3, 2007 at 11:08 pm
There is nothing by the name fairness in the history book of Awami League. How they can shed of crocodile tears about democracy and free and fair election! It’s the long legacy of Awami League to go to power through musclemanship or conspiracy.
Hasina has been demanding a flawless voter list whereas the voter list her government made had 60 lakhs false votes as per EU report. She also makes ludicrous demand of voter ID in 2 weeks or a month. What she did in her 5-year time.
We blamed Pakistan and fought that for independence. But it’s one of the great shame for us even after 36 years of Independence Bangladesh didn’t see a free and fair election. Only one fair election I saw in my life and that was the 1970′s election under Gen. Yahya Khan paving our way to mandate for Sheik Mujib. But even Sheik Mujib failed to present us a fair election in his watch. Though Sheik Mujib didn’t need to win 99% of parliamentary seats in 1973, the first election in Bangladesh, he gifted us a rigged election. In Doundkandi, Comilla constituency Khondher Mustaq was about to flunk with his opponent Rashid Engineer. At the last moment ballot boxes were hijjacked and Sheik Mujib rigged election for his future killer Mr. khondhker Mustaq. Is it not a big shame, Yahya didn’t rigg whereas Sheik Mujib rigged.
We have first time seen how the DACSU election was first rigged by Mujibbadi Gundda Bahinis led by Late Sheik Kamal.
How can we expect free fair and fair election if we don’t change our election rigging blood, blood of our nationl father and brother, Sheik Mujib and Sheik Kamal respectfully. They were the father and brother of our nation and we, be the Zia, Khaleda Zia, Ershad or Hasina are just carrying legacy.
It’s Sheik Mujib who after struggling for 23 years of political careers for democracy guilotined democracy and his head-heart-hand-made party, Awami League through one party system, Baksal.
How could we expect democratic decor in Hasina’s political dress! That’s why it’s natural for her to make poltical fondling relationship with Shoirachar Ershad. Let the country bleed and Hasina some time-break for civil-martial romance and renewed long-drives.
Thanks.
January 4, 2007 at 2:06 am
Dear Folks
No matter which party we support here or not but onething is for sure we are pretty much schooled and educated here and also want good thing for Bangladesh as a whole or better things to happen for Bangladesh.
Rather than us arguing all the time on the matter what BNP did and what AWL did during this critical time of the year for Bangladesh where we are facing a national crisis which might lead to a national disastor for our beloved country Bangladesh going forward from here we all should work together to bring a plan of action for the these parties to come and discuss the matter on the table not on the street and to pressure all the political parties to stop all this non-sense that is hurting the country in the name of restoring so called flawed democracy where the same old thugs and goondas will again rule the country and rape the country for next 5 years no matter
4 party alliance comes or the Mohajot 14 party aliance comes to power.
Lets start some work lets mobilized all the non-resident Bangladesh across the world and let all of us agree to stop sending a single penny to Bangladesh to our families untill and unless they solve this political crisis without hurting the country any more.
Once we all stop sending money to Bangladesh our family would urge the political parties to stop the agitation because the political parties need their vote they have to listen it will work if we can organize it well enough. The foreign remittence is the second largest contributor to the national economy.
Second threats need to be given from all the foreign direct investement firms and companies to pull out their investment if the don’t solve
the political crisis soon
Third lets stop the election till end of 2007 and lets all help to make free and fair election happens by outsourcing the elections contract to any foreign or outsiders.
They should make fresh voter list and without ID card no voter would be allowed to vote.
Use of high technological hardware and security cameras to be installed in each and every Poll stations and media should cover the whole election live on TV so the whole world could see what is going on. The election has to start in the early morning and be finish by day light no work would be done after dark. Each and every polling agent would be pictured and taken a criminal background and political background check need to be done.
I am sure you people can add more values to my demand here and lets all work for sometime.
We have got a chance to proof our loyalty and love and responsibility for the country lets all get together and do it. Lets plan its not a single man’s job it’s combined work of all the citizens of Bangladesh lets get involve in it’s an appeal from a fellow Bangladeshi.
thanks
Kawser Jamal
Kawserjamal@yahoo.com
http://www.changeBangladesh.com
Please advice me any better idea you have if you don’t like this.I am open to all option.
January 4, 2007 at 3:14 am
@Timur, I understand what you’re saying, but if 14-party told earlier that they won’t be going to this plotted election, Jamaat might have declared all 300 nominations and so there would have been a chance of having BNP in power and Jamaat as opposition… Much friendlier enviornment to swallow whatever left in the country.
@Fugstar, I’ve been to street demonstrations, and yes, peaceful ones.
@Salam Dhaka, your info appears correct. There’s indeed 3 list to fool us (the voters).
January 4, 2007 at 6:06 am
Read this piece from Prothom Alo, please!
http://www.prothom-alo.org/index.news.details.php?nid=MjcyNQ==&PHPSESSID=3fbdfcf3e393ad891c9f5ba2570fc4c9
What sort of scam is that?!?
January 4, 2007 at 6:34 am
Kawsar Jamal,
I think you are overestimating the political impact of NRBs not sending money into BD. The politicians don’t care at all about NRB money coming in, because they are too busy sending money out to Swiss bank accounts.
January 4, 2007 at 12:06 pm
Nazzina,
If you’re the only person who bothered to file nomination from any constituency, or the only person who has a valid nomination after the RO scrutiny, then naturally you get elected unopposed. Which part of this do you not understand?
January 4, 2007 at 12:16 pm
I was in Bangladesh two times last year. I think that there is huge difference what we think here and what people think in Bangladesh. I even have not heard anything about non-Bangladeshi effort in Bangladesh. I am not doscounting our effort. What I am saying that local politics are very different what we are trying to help (just my personal observation).
In Bangladesh, anybody can hire few Tokais to make misil with any subject. So it does not matter if it hurts Bangladesh or not. I am not sure how we can pressure those political parties from outside Bangladesh.
If we stop sending money to back home, stop FDI, poor people will be affected more that those rich politician. Plotitian like Abdul Jalil and Mannan Bhuiya might not able to buy another BMW soon but they have enough money to spend for the next 20 years.
Best wishes,
M. M. Chowdhury
January 4, 2007 at 12:52 pm
I don’t think we have the time to judge the parties responsible for creating this uncertain and rather deteriorating situation in the country to find who is right and who is wrong with the election scheduled to be held in just days. We desperately need an escape route for Bangladesh to get out of this mess and grip of political tentacles before things get out of control if it already had not. Politicians are tugging apart the constitution on election date and participation while the regular citizens continue to suffer from the chaos and the country suffer from losing economic grounds. Bangladesh you deserve better than this!
January 4, 2007 at 3:18 pm
Unfortunately, right now I am at a foreign land, but if I were in BD now, I would participate in peaceful street demonstrations, because I believe in people’s power and voting rights.
I know there won’t be any radical change if the mohajote goes to power. But what I know is that if the 4 party comes to power again by dint of a rigged election, it’ll prove that the people don’t have any power in BD, coz you can get to power by cleverly placing your men in the administration, police, EC and judiciary. In the last 15 years of our ‘democracy’, despite the fact that the parties were not very efficient in running the govt, they had to still think about the public opinion as they have to go to them for their mandate after 5 years. But after such a totally manipulated election, our parties should not care whatsover abt the people, they’ll run their agenda of looting the country unopposed. The universal voting right is the pillar of democracy, if it is gone, democracy is no longer existent.
January 4, 2007 at 4:27 pm
It seems unlikely to me that AL has a sufficiently broad following to force a 1996 type capitulation to their demands. As much as people have endured misrule, corruption and coddling of religious extremists in the last five years, most may not be convinced that an AL government will necessarily mean anything better. The recent actions of the AL reinforce this impression. After lots of street violence on the part of the AL and their supporters, a martial law regime may be in the cards with large initial popular support.
The ultimate winners if this scenario were to play out may be Jamaat and other Islamist parties as it has cultivated a strong relationship within the officer corps of the military. The outside world is going to condemn, but in the end is likely to accept it if it is seen to have popular backing. This scenario is likely to be costly to BNP’s political fortune as well as AL. A new military ruler is likely to cozy up to eager Islamists, who have always sought a short cut to power.
I am not sure if BNP realizes that playing its present part is not in its long term interest. Jamaat may appear to be its best friend for now; but in the long run, its political interest is hardly advanced by such a grim turn of events.
AL and BNP leadership and their die-hard followers need to realize that continued confrontation will result in each of them crashing into long-term oblivion. If they are to remain politically relevant, compromise and accomodation is the only name of the game since death of democracy does not serve the interest of either party.
January 4, 2007 at 5:39 pm
I have a question about peaceful street demonstrations….If I am a voter and I’m willing to vote on January 22, is it not within my right to vote? Then, if you “peacefully” stop me from going to the voting center, is that not violation of my rights? I agree that you have the right to campeign against this election. But at the same time, I have every right to participate. Do you honestly think that another Hartal or Oborodh would be observed in Bangladesh, if no one is throwing rocks at cars and busses, striping cloths from people (“Digombor” bahini), etc. I guess the definition of peaceful demonstration is the key. If you block a street by erecting a huge stage and starts singing, that’s peaceful. But if I want to drive my car on that street, then it becomes non-peaceful!
First thing all the parties need to acknowledge is the fact that everybody has some popular support. And those people supporting my opposition have the same rights as I do. So when you talk about peaceful demonstration, you should show respect to your opposition’s rights. Otherwise, you’d get as much “respect” back as you are ready to give.
January 4, 2007 at 6:27 pm
Taimur,
That is what I tought that you are vieing for agitation from some coushy foreign land. FYI I do not recall any peaceful demonstration occured in Bangladesh. There is always anarchy. And brother it is much easier said than done. Al has made U turn only keep to “soirachar Ershad” in the election. Remember Nur Hossain who wrote “Soirachar Nipat jak” on his chest and had to die for it. Look how cheap his blood to our nitihin netris(aka Hasina,Khaleda) as both wanted to get “Soirachar Ershad under their umbrella. I believe in this day and age when media is so open election can not be rigged like 20 years ago. There are so much election observers from around the world. Look we would not have Chittagong mayor Mohiuddin if election was riggable. Election were won by peoples vote. AL had a very good chance of winning to my opinion right after the BNP term end due to price hike, power shortage and corruption issue of incumbant government. But they failed to utilize these issue and strangely keep on agitating on person issue like KM Hassan, Aziz, Zakaria. They did not even do any campaign. Only thing they did is agitation. So I think they have lost their ground to win and they have realized that. That is why all these hue and cry regarding voter list update so that they can buy time. Although I think voter list is flawed but according to NDI report that will not help either BNP or AL. So here they go again and start their agitation and oborodh which hurt our economy and our people the most. I call this economic terrorism. If they can keep on doing it long enough then Bangladesh will soon become a failed state.
January 4, 2007 at 7:29 pm
Since posting the above comments, I found the article entitled “Pakistanization of Bangladesh politics” most relevant.
Also, after I wrote my comments above, a more hopeful scenario came to mind. However, this needs country wide coordination and well recognized and respected leaders to come to the fore–a country wide successful citizen movement that makes demands on the politicians and the care-taker government along the lines of “Take Bangladesh back” with simple demands: No oborodh, no violence, no election engineering, no to politicization of institution. What it will lack in muscle power, it might be able to make up with sufficient numbers. This could force the next government after the election to make necessary constitutional changes and call for a new election.
We, Bangladeshis, have always been passive lot and we have let others including a handful of political operatives take charge of our lives. The question is whether people sense enough stake to become proactive. If one person comes out in the street from each house to participate in such a movement, it will surely overwhelm the political operatives and force a change.
January 4, 2007 at 10:37 pm
Zeeshan bhai and Mr Chowdhory,
Trust me I am not over estimating the power of NRB.No power could be diminish and overstated unless it is tried for his or her existance in the real world.
We NRB’s are never excercising our rights.Most of the people keep down to earth live in their respective country and do there day to day things without hurting anybody in the foreign land which much respected and honoured for our country Bangladesh. But people of Bangladesh and the politicians took us for granted.They think we don’t have the spine to do anything neither when we are in the country and also when we are out of the country. That wrong image has to be broken in the face of the politicians right away.
The only reason we can’t make an impact guys it because we are too polarized we are too divided we all have our own history of the country own likeness and dislikeness of the country and who is in power rather than one mission or one vision better Bangladesh affluent Bangladesh developed Bangladesh.
We don’t need the whole world even a number of few would be able to make a change if we have the right plan and right attitude and right intention.
Post 34
If one person comes out in the street from each house to participate in such a movement, it will surely overwhelm the political operatives and force a change.
It’s again like who will bell the cat? I can say for myself if I would have been in Bangladesh.
Out of 150 million people we don’t have 15 honest and informed citizes who can raise a voice and talk eye to eye with the politicians because they all have family and kids to feed.It’s not there fault its just the law and order of the state it can be used against anybody any time.
I don’t see any light at the end of the tunnel but we need to create lights looks like and put darkness to the halt and buried it forever.
thanks
Kawser Jamal
January 5, 2007 at 11:15 am
I read all the good points about Ershad. Some of you are suspecting that AL is boycotting election only because of Ershad. How could AL do this for “shoirachari” Ershad, etc. etc.! Here is my take on it.
Ershad gets solid 5% votes and that is the main reason both AL and BNP were trying to pull him to their side. That is pure politics. Finally, Ershad asked for forgiveness of people for his previous misdeeds and decided to join 14 party alliance. Ershad, at the age of 80 (this is the last term he can participate in an election) is a harmless man. Especially, whed he had publicly apologised to the nation(unlike the jamaatis), what could be a good reason for AL for not letting him join the alliance and lose the 5% solid votes ?
When Ershad was going to joing the BNP-Jamaat alliance, he got “bekosur khalash” from all the charges, but as soon as he decided to join the AL alliance, the charges against him were brought to court at a rocket’s pace, he was convicted and prevented from participating in the election. Isn’t it clear enough now who’s controlling the courts, the whole judiciary system that is with their remote control system?
I read the comments of marko polo, kawser jamal, tteller, sensible – how come you guys are not questioning the ruining of the whole judiciary system by the past BNP government? What’s wrong with AL if they protest this wrongdoing on Ershad? AL can’t go to court for justice, parliament was biased (they had no voice there), army-police is under BNP’s control, BNP is still controlling the caretaker govt – what alternative do they have left other than oborodh and strikes? What’s wrong in asking for a valid voter list? The govt had spent 250 crore taka of our money for a voter list after all.
- Lopa
January 5, 2007 at 4:23 pm
I just want to add to the above comments. Two days ago Khaleda Zia told in a public meeting that Zail is Ershad’s place. On the same day court asked Ershad to surrender by January 17. Is it coincidence? Or court is doing what Khaleda is telling in the meeting?
During Khaleda regime, the government appointed many pro BNP judges. Most of them are unqualified.
Lopa,
“AL can’t go to court for justice, parliament was biased (they had no voice there), army-police is under BNP’s control, BNP is still controlling the caretaker govt – what alternative do they have left other than oborodh and strikes?”
AL should retire from politics and let BNP Jamat run the country upto Keyamat. Then everything will be fine.
January 5, 2007 at 4:38 pm
The problem in Bangladesh is that nothing, I repeat nothing is black or white. All of it are basically different shades of gray. You talk about ruining of judiciary in reference to Ershad’s most recent case. But that’s not the begining of that rot. I don’t know if you remember the incident of setting up of slums in fron of the highcourt….Even this case of attorney general bringing the instruction of the CJ is not a first! If you look through the news papers, this has happened before and within the legal boundaries.
Now I have said it before: it’s not about who Ershad is with (AL or BNP). It’s this person…one public apology for political reasons….is that all it takes to be “dhoa tulsipata” in Bangladesh these days? If that’s the case, may be I’ll go and do whatever I want and while I’m doing it, I’ll keep saying “sorry”! Well, may be you’re ready to accept his apology and consider him as a partner in you strugle for “democracy”…but I’m not sure those who were on the street in 1990, those who suffered through Ershad regime and the violent anti-Ershad movements are ready for that. At this rate, we’ll soon be able to see a joint venture between AL and Jamat and that’d be perfectly acceptable! Oh well, wait a minute…We have already seen that in the 90s…
My personal opinion is that the voter list in Bangladesh will never be accurate as the local parties will always influence in adding/dropping names of voters. The current list was prepared during the AL government and it allegedly had 7 mil vua voters in 2001. Since AL was okay with the voter list then, it is okay to think that most of these Vua voters are creation of pro-AL powers. Now that BNP added a few more, now AL want’s new list….How convenient! Well, I do want an accurate voter list. But I also want to win the lotto!
Oborodh and hartal….when you sit thousands of mile away from it….seems like a very good political tool. It’s when you suffer through them, you become aware of how damaging they can be. Changing the power from BNP to AL will do a lot for the people of Bangladesh except a different group will get a chance to do more “Churi”. It’s that “rickshawala” or “dinmojur” who will suffer through the oborodh and hartal. I think the people of Bangladesh should be mobilized against any oborodh or hartal…no matter who calls it. Besides, I said it in another post here….AL has every right to protest this election….but BNP and it’s supporters also has the right to go through the process. If I’m the owner of my vote and I want to cast my vote on Jan 22, who gives anybody to break my leg in the name of protest?
In this game of politics, constitution is the rule book. it tells you how to change the rules that it contains. But you cannot change the rules once you have started the process. A lot of people are talking about high court reference and all…my question is what if the highcourt says that you can’t change the date of the election? What will AL do then? Will they accept the highcourt ruling and give up their violent street protests? If history has taught us anything, I can tell you that AL and it’s supporters then go and burn the highcourt! Bottom line, you have to agree on a set of rules to follow and stick to it. You cannot shift the goal post in a soccer match! Otherwise, there is no end in this never ending game.
These days I also ponder another question: suppose something happened in the sky and BNP had agreed to postpone this election, all parties agreed to form a new voter list, a new caretaker govt. and the most netral, free, and fair election took place in may/june/july of this year or may be at some later time. Then when the results came in, AL lost. What happens then? Dare to imagine this scenario?
January 5, 2007 at 5:27 pm
Yes Wasim, reading the responses of the bloggers, I also think AL should let BNP Jamaat to go to the power once again. Unnoyoner jowar should continue.
January 5, 2007 at 5:38 pm
I do not agree on any one sided election as such election will not be valid. I have also mensioned both BNP and AL wanted Ershad under their umbrella which sickens me as it show both party got no ideal they just want to go to power by any means. But AL should not bring more oborodh to our country which hurts our economy and general people the most. Why should general people pay the price for either party’s power grabing process. Why should the people have to sit in at home and not be able to get on with their daily life? What will happen if our garments sector looses majority of the order? How many poor people will be unemployed if that happens? Who is going to feed them AL Mohajot? What kind of effect that will bring to our law and order situation? I’d like all the of you people think about it.
If the AL wants to pick a fight with the current Govt. they should do indefinite sit in in front of Bongo bhobon. Better yet I’d like to see indefinite hunger strike in front of Bongobhaban and all of the top leader of AL, LDP and JP should perticipate in that. How many of the current bloggers in this forum would support that? I will support such movement. Because then I will be convinced that AL mohajot really want good for us and not out there to destroy our economy.
January 5, 2007 at 9:50 pm
Wasim,Lopa and FZ,
See we should all ask and want what is best for the country which we called our Bangladesh.
Ershad is a factor. Both BNP and AWL needed him. Lopa correctly said that he carries 5% popular vote. We protested the same time when BNP’s Babar and Tarique was kissing Ershads’feet in Baridhara and the same Bhuiyah who is name calling Ershad was saying there is no last word in politics. No one here is supporting Ershads inclution to any of the party but isn’t Ershad little over rated? there were 300 MPs’ and Ministor and same Moudud who was than a powerful factor in JP government now is or was a Ministor in BNP. How come that’s is right? Naziur Rahman monju did more corruption than Ershad and took all of Ershad’s money which party is he in now? the BNP jote right? Anwar Hossian Monju another cunning politicians shrugging with 4 party now.
So why are we only blaming Ershad? Who is not corrupt in Bangladesh?
I myself ran with mohallah missils and help people mobilize force against Ershad in 1990 December movement but I was a little kid than. I believe he shouldn’t be in BD politics any more but my question is why it’s always him? What about all the Ex-Ministor and MP’s of JP goverment than are they all dead? or they are equally distributed in AWL and BNP big shots now and a good aspirants for the upcoming election.
Guys we have to go a different route if we want to change Bangladesh for better or fix it for its existance strategy has to be different.It’s information age lets all think what can be done to fix the problem rather than just discussing the problem. Again the judiciary and court are not been manipulated for positioned government for the first time that has happened before too.
We need to separate judiciary from the state and banned the article 70 from our constitution. We the bloggers should work with policy’s not politics. Have strong policy’s the politics would get straightened itself. The Political Bastard Moudud lobbied and put a stay order on the candidate’s income sources varification just for what? See how the law and court are bought everyday. Moudud should be wiped out of the Bangladeshi soil to solve half of the judicial problem.
Sensible,
You are very sensible about your prediction on Election by april May june 2007 and you are very true for that. There won’t be any acceptable election before June 2007. So people I don’t know brothers and sisters what else to say but onething for sure time is coming close to an end for our politicians and their coronies. God is wathching it all.In his house lateness is there but not darkness.
Thanks
Kawser Jamal
http://www.changeBangladesh.com
January 6, 2007 at 9:47 am
Haque @27 “Nazzina,
If you’re the only person who bothered to file nomination from any constituency, or the only person who has a valid nomination after the RO scrutiny, then naturally you get elected unopposed. Which part of this do you not understand?”
May be this link will help you answer your question?!
http://www.newagebd.com/2007/jan/05/front.html#11
“BNP-Jamaat forced us to withdraw
from 5 seats: ICM
Staff Correspondent
Islamic Constitution Movement alleged that BNP and Jamaat men had forged signatures of its candidates for withdrawal of nomination papers in five constituencies.
The party leaders at a press conference at its central office Thursday also complained that in some cases ICM candidates were forced to pull out from the race.
The party presidium member, Mosaddek Billah and city unit president, ATM Hemayet Uddin spoke at the press conference, among others.
They cited that in Bagura-6 constituency, ICM candidate ANM Mamunur Rashed was asked to withdraw his candidacy. As he disagreed, local BNP men used his fake signature in the application for withdrawal, they claimed.
BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia has been elected unopposed from the constituency.
ICM candidate Adul Matin received death threats over telephone if he did not withdraw from Dhaka-12 constituency, where Khaleda Zia is the BNP-led alliance’s candidate, the ICM leaders alleged.
In Dhaka-3 constituency, ICM secretary general Nurul Huda Faezi has been forced by BNP men to withdraw. BNP leader Amanullah Aman is contesting from the seat.
In Pabna-1 and Comilla-12 constituencies, ICM candidates Kazi Sharif Ahmed and Kamal Uddin were compelled to leave the race under pressure from Jamaat-e-Islami amir Motiur Rahman Nizami and central leader Abdullah Mohammad Taher.”
And what is valid? Illegal ownership of television channels by fraudulant? Illegal ownership of 32 cars, each costing no less than Tk10 million? Illegal ownership of business aquired by Malaysian government? There’s plenty of such information, on each and every individual who by passed *innocent* ROs’ *honest* eyes that can *scrutiny cleverly*.
January 6, 2007 at 10:30 am
I think I have answer to one question…why Ershad? It’s not often when all the plitical parties agrees on one issue or one group of people or one individual. Ershad is an exception on that count. In the late 80s and 1990, the two political parties and majority of the people (in your count..95%) agreed to remove him from power. That’s why it’s about Ershad. You mentioned other leaders. Are we not seing the same group of people with different labels even before since independence? I agree with you that almost everybody in Bangladesh politics is corrupt. But not everybody agrees on individuals. I don’t want to acceptibility to someone like Ershad again, after coming to a rare agreement about him in 1990.
About election in june, july….Could anyone here assure me that all the parties involved would accept the results of that election in June/July?
January 7, 2007 at 3:31 pm
It was apparent from the beginning the election was going to be rigged.
Apparently, the Grand Alliance (“GA”) decided to go to ballot after a sophisticated survey was done based on participation of all parties (JP included) in the election. The survey was very favorable with GA literally sweeping the election. Now that JP has dropped out the election they are back to their old position.
One has to question the intelligence of the leadership of GA to not to foresee the outcome of Ershad not participating in election. Now it seems like they are flip-flopping because of their chance of winning. Of course they have said from the beginning that they will only participate in the election only if the voter list is corrected, EC is reconstituted but it never seemed like they had a clear stance. Is there a void of strong leadership in the GA or too many cooks in the kitchen?
Another thing I have heard echoed recently is the return of military power to stabilize the country. Although I think that would be viable solution (as in Pakistan) I do not think such leadership exists. The modernization (unlike current the show of strength village politics of sticks and knife) and restoration of civility in politics is vital. When pictures of people on the street with sticks and knife are being flashed throughout the international media, it just confirms their stereotype that we are uncivilized (even though we may have a much longer and enriching history)
It is apparent the self serving politicians of current and opposing parties do not deserve to run the country as they have completely lost the trust the confidence of the people. The two political families and their cronies treat the country as if it’s their inherited wealth.