Two news item in yesterdays newspapers say it all.
Daily Prothom Alo broke the news to the nation day before yesterday. The news was that BNP leader, Khaleda Zia’s heir apparent Mr. Tarique Rahman resigned from his party post and has retired from politics. This news surprised many political observers and to them something did not sound right. Khaleda Zia herself mentioned that her son would not be able to be involved in ground political activities in Bangladesh while he undergoes treatment abroad and this treatment be as long as two-three years. But a formal resignation and faxing it to newspaper offices after midnight was rather unusual.
Anyway the uneasy political analysts did not have to wait too long. This news item published in the New Age mentions how an ailing and hurting Tarique Rahman was virtually held hostage at ZIA airport by members of military intelligence, DGFI. Here is how New Age described it,
…Tarique was made to sign a paper, which he was very unwilling to do, by members of the intelligence agencies at the Zia International Airport, according to sources in the airport. ‘They threatened Tarique Rahman that he would not be allowed to fly unless he signed the undertaking,’ said an airport source. ‘The word “undertaking” was, however, replaced with “statement” as he was unwilling to sign the paper,’ he added. According to the text of the paper written in incorrect Bangla and carrying Tarique’s ‘signature’, which was faxed from ‘SIG CEN DGFI’ through the number 8752921 at 12.34am on September 12 to New Age and some other newspapers too, he ‘relieved himself’ of the charge of senior joint secretary-general of BNP and retired from active politics…
This is a copy of the Undertaking statement (Undated and in plain paper) published in Daily Amader Shomoy. Amader Shomoy also published the news item without mentioning the name of DGFI.
From the above incidence, one should rest assured that General Moeen and his con men in DGFI are still very much active behind the scene. They are still breathing at the neck of Bangladesh.
And one also should wonder that while this government came with all the indignation of righteousness and despite the fact that they claim themselves bunch of honest, educated “do-gooders”; all they did in last two years are nothing but dirty politics.
People in Bangladesh won’t need to be reminded how ex-prime minister and leader of the most organized and one of the largest political parties in Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina was arrested hours after she dared criticize DGFI for it’s illegitimate activities.
Generally the question will arise that on what ground DGFI has to poke its nose in partisan politics of the country. Who they are to take undertaking from politicians whether he/she will do politics or not?
Those days are coming when the DGFI and those few generals also have to sign another undertaking. This undertaking will be given to the nation that they would refrain from illegally poking their nose into jurisdictions which is not their mandate.
Since 1/11/2007; the activities of the army chief and the leadership of DGFI have seriously undermined the integrity of these two institutions. Never in the past, had an army chief (without holding any administrative leadership role like CMLA etc.) abused his post so much for petty personal political gains. Same thing is true of DGFI, which has ventured way deep into a territory which is definitely not their jurisdiction. DGFI was a fine institution and this organization was built by hardworking members of Bangladesh armed forces. And the truth is that an overwhelming majority of the members of these forces do not support the current activities of DGFI. One army chief and some of his con men generals have used this organization for their personal gain and vendetta. If a democratic government is allowed to take over after a meaningful election, there is no doubt this fine institution will come under the wrath and may even be stripped off essential fund and authority. This will be a loss. Weakening of armed force definitely does not serve the national interest of Bangladesh.
September 13, 2008 at 11:09 pm
Indeed. It is way too early to declare victory or express relief.
September 14, 2008 at 12:39 am
You’re very right, Mr. Rumi.
Even the head and body of a snake is cut off, the tail still moves and strikes for sometimes.
Perhaps, compelling TZ to sign on the undertaking/statement document is tail-tilting, not the headwork. That’s why it seemed so sloppy job.
Thanks.
September 14, 2008 at 7:08 am
Surely, depending on the outcome of the election, this “ongikarnama” can be revoked or updated?
September 14, 2008 at 7:43 am
TZ’s treatment was an up most critical issue for KZ’s mental sanity. KZ’s remaining in nation was a critical issue for BNP’s cohesiveness. Both are achieved. Now the politics starts. Moin was doing politics using arms, but now he has been dragged into unarmed public arena.
September 14, 2008 at 7:21 pm
Udayan, Any contract signed under duress does not hold any validity. Moreover his mother already mentioned that he will join politics once he is able to walk.
DGFI members did not need to take any undertaking from tarique. They have already ensured that Tarique will not able to actively participate in politics. They have tortured him enough to cripple him for a long time if not for ever.
September 15, 2008 at 2:05 am
Meanwhile, check this Prothom Alo report out:
http://www.prothom-alo.com/index.news.details.php?nid=MTg4NDM=
It talks about an unnamed ‘jugmo mohashochib’ (joint secretary general). It names Nazrul Islam Khan and Goyeshwar Roy – the two joint secretaries. Ashraf Hossain, a former joint secretary, has been expelled from the party. It used to have two joint secretary generals – Tarique Rahman and Mannan Bhuiyan. Neither of them are in that post anymore. So who is this unnamed ‘jugmo mohashochib’ that PA mentions?
September 15, 2008 at 7:32 am
I have a people that 95% of people in both AL and BNP will be happy to go back to fighting each other. The DGFI will concentrate on the 5% on both camps who will try to remember what happened the past twenty months.
September 15, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Prothom Alo, fishing expedition in murky water. Ain’t that old trait??
September 15, 2008 at 11:02 pm
If there was really a deal, then why they would have to force for an undertaking in the airport? I am pretty sure BNP will give nomination to Tarique Rahman in the upcoming election. And Tarique Rahman will come out victorious in absentia from a safe seat in Bogra.
September 16, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Awami leadership is the liabitity for the party and the nation, be them RATS or CATS, anti-rats. Zillur is an old crap, the senior moron. He said BNP has no democracy. Such statement is quite ludicrous and incompatible based on his track record. We can recall his position in the BAKSAL. He was the secretary general of BAKSAL, the demon from the debris of democracy after being guillotined. It’s not befitting ex-BAKSAL secretary to talk about democracy
He commented on some emotional proposal by BNP’s standing committe member for KZ’s life leadership of BNP. However, declining to accept the proposal by intelligent KZ is again a slap to all morons.
I wonder, how reincarnated deomocratic Zillur first Okays Abdul Jalil’s SGship and then getting call from Hasina instantly withheld it. Is the beauty of Awami/Zillur/Hasina’s democracy?
Thanks.
September 17, 2008 at 11:04 am
I’m surprised anyone is surprised. I have yet to see or hear of any Bangali actually holding office and working as per mandate and through the correct channels. AL and BNP each consecutively politicised all civil bodies, judiciary and the civil forces, of course the army head will politicise what little was left untouched by the two ‘popular’ parties.
As for jurisdiction…what does that mean? For Bangladeshis, there is no such thing as ‘jurisdiction’ or ‘extent of power’. Everything is everyone’s business except, of course, what is truly that entity’s actual business.
The problem is not at the top, it is at the bottom. After all, the people making up the government, military and all come from the common people and with the common people being the same, there should be no expectation that people at the top will be any different. In fact, they should display all these negative tendencies more strongly, since at positions of power they know they are immune.
I suggest everyone actually stop getting surprised and start realising where the actual problem lies and work to mend it before we dig ourselves in so deep the sun ceases to exist for us.
December 15, 2008 at 5:07 pm
http://www.Politicobd.com published bank statement’s of Dr. Khandaker Mosharraf, big ally of Tareq Zia. See for yourself how much money he stole from Bangladesh.
http://www.politicobd.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=36:-corruption-charges-against-political-leader-dr-musharaaf&catid=17:roknewsrotator
We the people of Bangladesh are “zimmy” to this sort of politicians.