Third force in Bangladesh politics
M A S Molla, BAAS, Dhaka
Dr. B the former President and the founder General Secretary of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is in the news again with his version of ideas on the need of a third party in the present political scenario of Bangladesh. He talked to some respected members of civil society in an Iftar Party hosted on November 13 last. The incumbent General Secretary of BNP (Mr. Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan) said that the deprived and ousted leaders of any big party often do this and they always fail. Question arises why was his predecessor deprived of his due? Was it because he was too gentle, containing and was not just clapping even if his position was not respected duly? May be Dr. B will not be successful in leading or getting a better leadership. But what's wrong with trying in a time while Mr. Bhuiyan also realises that the politics of today is below standard? I think the BNP has got very few good (sincere and efficient at a time) parliamentarians. Of those few Advocate Razzak Ali (the last Speaker), Dr. B and Mr. M K Anwar are remarkable. But BNP has got rid off Dr. B and that for Mr. Sheikh Razzak is almost complete. How come that Mr. Ali Asgor Lobi (a new comer) can replace the last Speaker as regards getting nomination! The incumbent General Secretary (Mr. Abdul Jalil) of the Awami League (AL) said, 'civil society is no alternative to political parties.' Does Mr. Jalil think that his party men to be uncivil or militants (opposite of civil) serving an uncivilised nation? Actually the present day politicians, especially most of those in the two major parties are 'no alternative to a civil leadership'. They are just governing in a time when the good leadership is yet to be formed. The nation really deserves better governance -- that Dr. B realised. However, it's a big question if the attempts of Dr. B and Dr. Kamal Hossain will succeed over the mastan politics or not. Question also arises if this set of leaders is actually of the right brand that the nation really requires. Time will answer these questions. Now we can have a pressure on the incumbent leadership to try to be less militant and more benevolent, and also at least hope for the best of the leaders attempting to do better. At present this rather apolitical or civil force may start as the third force in Bangladesh politics, but this should be a foundation for the real first force later on.
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