AL strategy is self-defeating
AZ, On Mail
If the Awami League fades out, its top leadership would most likely be held responsible by the posterity for the slow death of a pioneering political party in Bangladesh. Narcissism in politics has a profound historical background. It is the major weakness of many developing nations. South Africa is full of it, and countries of the South and SE Asia are full of this vice. Why name should matter when the fame can last? It is time to ditch away marble politics (foundation-stone laying ceremonies).Awami League's vision is too myopic and ad hoc. The party is too busy with criticising the opponents and finding fault of others. It is also a party difficult to convince, and not willing to compromise (latest: boycotting the Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Dhaka), The AL does not believe in tolerance. The party believes that others should arrange for what it wants. It demands services without providing the same at public level. It hibernates during the five years in the opposition, making its presence felt through nagging programmes. The party has not digested fully the result of the last election it won only one-fifth of the 300 seats. But it talks and behaves as if it had won 49 per cent of the seats. The voters can see the game. Charisma alone cannot save a party, in today's fast-moving world of change (the other major party should also note this point). A myopic approach might pay short-term dividend, but it does not strengthen the foundation of the party or the nation. Nelson Mendela kept a low profile and survived even after his quitting of power. Power does not lie in power. Poor leadership is like the effect of the Farrakka dam less flow, and salinity. The AL strategy is self defeating.
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