— smell a rat : to have a suspicion of something wrong [ Merriam-Webster Dictionary]
There is an extremely foul stench of rat I smell in the activities of the RATS (Razzak, Amu, Tofael and Suranjit) faction of Bangladesh Awami League. If we look back in recent history, this group joined hands with the military regime which illegally occupied the governance in Bangladesh. They have been the major accomplices in ‘now notorious minus two’ plan of this regime. Their intention was clear. Go to power by an unfair means, through the back door of conspiracy. Their two other plan was to get rid of Sheikh Hasina in from Awami league leadership, thus exerting control over the party. And their third goal was to eliminate politics of Ziaur Rahman from the planet.
All their plans failed miserably. Unlike BNP’s turncoats, they however have been shrewd enough not to get ousted like Mannan Bhuiyan gong.
Now as there appears to be a U-turn in Bangladesh politics, this quartet started their second phase of conspiracy. Any politically savvy person will know that unity between political parties is vital for restoration of democracy. Anyone really wanting to get rid of the hidden martial law would do everything to prevent going back to the confrontational politics we’ve seen last 15 years.
There is absolutely no reason to believe that the RATS do not know/understand it. But their activities of last few days raise serious concern about their real intention. The comments of all four of them, esp. those of Razzak and Amu from yesterday were exceedingly offensive, unsuitable for a senior politician, divisive and unhealthy.
It is a shame that how these, once respected politician, sold their souls and became petty and cheap foot soldiers of a military general. Awami League leadership esp. Sheikh Hasina must be very cautious of this ‘gang of four’. For the sake of democracy these four scoundrels must be confronted and stopped.
September 14, 2008 at 11:00 pm
“It is a shame that how these, once respected politician, sold their souls and became petty and cheap foot soldiers of a military general. ”
But this strategy has worked a couple of times in the past in Bangladeshi history, and many would have made the same observation about”once resepected politicians” in those instances. I guess these guys miscalculated and misread the national mood – the interesting question is why that mood is different this time round.
September 15, 2008 at 2:06 am
These RATS are really bad element for the society. We heard what that said immediately after 1/11. But now they are more pre- Hasina than ever before. And because of the obvious reason we dont hear Matia Chowdhury at all now a days.
Did you hear what and how they talk?
When the country is expecting matured, exemplary behaviour out of the senior politicians, they do just opposite. They seems to be poisonous snake just releasing venom.
The common people just dont like that. They never support any extreme attitude.
It appears that 1991 is coming back again. Before election AL leaders were busy in distributing different ministries while the people voted BNP.
DJ
September 15, 2008 at 7:26 am
[ Constant Anti Hasina, Anti Awami league ranting does not help the cause. It only helps Moeen U Ahmed. So if you relly love Moeen U Ahmed, please continue the divisive anti Hasina rhetoric in line with Razzak. Otherwise please understand the situation and talk something constructive. ]
Non friendly quarters of Bangladesh, & any one who needs a deal with Hasina, can use dignitary protocols like treats. Her riding in Indian Air force, recent protocol treats in foreign nations are few examples. Interested party knows that if few of these are provided, Hasina is happy. But she wants these treats to be permanent. Her taking over govt property in her time would be another example. Party or no party, vote or no vote, as long she can be assured of these sort highest level of respects and treatments, all are fine with her. She believes deeply that her father ‘made’ Bangladesh, hence Bangladesh owe her and family with highest loyalty & services.
#
It is Zia family who not only became popular on equal level, but may have suppresses in many instances. Add to that, Hasina’s departure may end legacy of Mujib, as Joy’s political capability is in question to continue it. Her despise to Zia family is understood. She allows, practice & enjoys bad mouthing Zia family. RATs knows her addiction, and they know how to play this well. It is mutually benefit to Hasina and RATs. National unity and peace is secondary. They could have better used their time and resource instead of investing on Zia family.
September 15, 2008 at 10:33 pm
There is a lot of hyperventilating in the Awami sphere about the proposed meeting of the two netris. These reports typically go like this: how can Hasina sit with Khaleda when the latter is clearly so evil because … (add in all the sins of the last BNP government you want).
This is incredibly wrongheaded. For argument’s sake, let’s agree that Khaleda is personally responsible for the 21 Aug 2004 attack etc (BNP supporters who regularly visit this blog, I am just making a point here, I don’t actually believe she was responsible), it still makes sense for Hasina to see Khaleda. To use JFK’s words: never talk out of fear, but never fear to talk.
And to use examples from our own history, Sheikh Mujib talked to Ayub in 1969 or Yahya-Bhutto in 1971. Surely AL-partisans know all these. Why then the hyperventilation?
I think a more legitimate issue to worry about the proposed meeting is its agenda. Suppose the regime puts the two leaders in a room and say that sign a ‘national accord’ incorporating NSC etc (Amader Shomoy ran a story suggesting this). Well, if they are suicidal enough to sign up to something like that, they could do it without meeting.
Even if the meeting doesn’t produce anything concrete, it would induce a much needed civility in our politics. I don’t think that’s too much to ask.
September 15, 2008 at 10:48 pm
Let me predict one of the future activities of Awami league. Someone from AL, may be some intellectual like DUTA, Shangskritik jote, or columist like Gaffar etc will start trash talking about Barrister rafiqul Haque. How dare someone make such an obscene proposal! All the bad things about Barroster rafiq will start coming out one after another.
September 16, 2008 at 6:38 am
Rumi, agree with your point. But respectfully disagree on censoring and guiding bloggers to your liking.
September 16, 2008 at 8:00 am
I willing to bet that such a meeting between the two parties will NOT happen. The only thing that will enable a meeting is the popular saying in Bangladesh politics “Rajneeti-te sesh kotha kichu nai”. In case the meeting does take place, I think it should be open to media…I’m talking about live relecasting of the meeting and such. The parties should be careful about any backdoor policy decision.
September 16, 2008 at 10:34 pm
I watched the interview of Barrister Rafiqul Haq in NTV. To me he sounded like the eldest guardian of the nation. He did not leave anyone from his lashing comments. But again he praised and suggested everyone and what could be the best for the country. He sited many examples from his experience.
To give him a name I am afraid he will be branded as Rajakar soon. RATS exactly know that to gain confidence of AL chief , they have to do what their chief likes. And it is no doubt the use ugliest words and bellow the belt attack against the opposition leadership.
We are unfortunately entangled within this triangle.
DJ
September 16, 2008 at 10:58 pm
Well everything aside, taking everything in #3 in heart, I just wonder one thing.
Even if it is her true birthday, celebration of it on the 15th of august in grad fasion would require hasina to be an angel not to be resentful against khaleda. We all know she is not even close to an angel.
September 18, 2008 at 6:01 am
The last thing Bangladeshi people will do is to believe Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury. The way Bar. Rafique gave a ‘thua’ to Suranjit, the ‘progressive intellectual with intention to bash Bar. Rafique” should think twice (I prefer thrice) to take position against Bar. Rafique.
September 18, 2008 at 4:57 pm
11 Hijb-ut-Tahrir member arrested
যখন কোন মানুষের ভিত্তি দূর্বল থাকে, তখন সামান্য একটু নড়াচড়া দেখলেই তার আশংকা জাগে এই বুঝি সে হুড়মুড়িয়ে পড়ে যাবে। বর্তমান সরকারের অবস্থা হয়েছে সেই। নিজেদের সাংবিধানিক কোন বৈধতা তো নেই-ই, তারা এখন হিজবুত তাহরিরের প্রেস কনফারেন্সের মাঝে সরকার-বিরোধী ভূত আবিষ্কার করেছেন।
আটককৃতদের বয়স কম বলে বাঁচোয়া, নইলে প্রথম আলো ডেইলী স্টার নির্ঘাত এদের ‘যুদ্ধাপরাধী’ বা ‘অমুক এলাকার ত্রাস কুখ্যার রাজাকার’ আখ্যা দিয়ে বসত। তবে এটা ভাবা ঠিক হবে না যে বয়স কম বলে আটককৃতরা প্রথম আলো ডেইলি স্টারের মিথ্যাচারের শিকার হবেননা। যেখানে ইসলামের ছোঁয়া আছে, সেখানেই ডেইলি স্টার আর প্রথম আলোর অ্যালার্জি আছে।
September 26, 2008 at 2:07 pm
[...] they held before 1/11. Bashing the family members of opponents is the way Amu, Suranjit and Razzaq have chosen to reconcile whatever they have learned from School of Reformation. But Sheikh Hasina must be good enough to recognize [...]
September 26, 2008 at 2:07 pm
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October 7, 2008 at 4:23 pm
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October 11, 2008 at 1:14 am
Dear Rumi, Write some thing about what should be the election issue .
Don’t you think that reform and funding to the research organisation for science and technology should be an important issue in the upcoming election.
October 12, 2008 at 1:48 am
[...] the Middle of Nowhere I smell a RAT(S)The snake is still hissing…and national interest of BangladeshWhat Really Happened: Part [...]
November 12, 2008 at 1:57 pm
DEAR RUMI BHAI
ARE YOU ALRIGHT? HOPE YOU ARE DOING FINE. YOUR LONG TIME ABSENCE, MAKE ME WORRY ABOUT YOU. PLEASE GIVE A MESSAGE.