Listed criminals have a way of cashing in on such an occasion to romp into public view by way of laundering their soiled image. They flaunt their supposed links with local ruling party elements to the policemen so as to ensure inaction on their part. This is a much abused art of gaining legitimacy on the sly. There is another reason behind their cleverly devised reincarnation: an intra-party faction leader might have just used them to gain an upper hand over his rivaling group. The city BNP general secretary reportedly admitted that the listed gangsters were seen in the four-party rally and that their presence could have been the upshot of internecine conflicts. It is understood that the matter was even discussed by the top brass in the local party unit. One wonders why despite the recognition of such devilish criminal presence of known elements in the procession and rally not a single finger was moved to apprehend them! The police didn't dare touch the hoodlums as they were found in the company of the mayor, local MP and other leaders. But did they try? One of the wanted criminals openly bragged about his freedom of movement.

This is the worst-case syndrome of patronising criminal elements within a ruling party come alive once again after what we had seen during the erstwhile Awami League. When would things change? Criminals will always try to stay close to the party in power. But should the latter, even unwittingly, cultivate them?