Opinion
Can we hope for better?
ABMS Zahur
We are puzzled as to why a controversial KM Hasan should head the caretaker government. However now that a secretary general level dialogue is on between the ruling and opposition parties we may hope for some reasonable reforms. As a former chief justice, we may assume, he understands well the implication of his close involvement with BNP in the past. He may think hard before he decides finally to accept the position if offered as the law minister is trying hard to interpret the constitutional provisions to suit Hasan and the government.Apart from this, he assures us that being a gentleman we should not expect any misdeed from Hasan. He does not hesitate to say that as Hasan's association with BNP was long ago he may now be treated as a "non-party man". Question naturally arises as to why BNP is so serious about protection of 'neutral character'. If so then does it need so many artifices like politicised bureaucracy, police force (particularly those recruited since 2001 and 2006) -- (more than 10,000), lower judiciary-influenced Election Commission and the prospective chief advisor, CTG? Running the administration of a least developed country is indeed a difficult task. In a permanent bureaucracy it is not so easy to obtain always blind support even when a bureaucrat faces dismissal because of committing major offence. A corrupt bureaucracy is more interested in graft than performance of service. When such people take decisions, they have the tendency to flout rules and regulations. Consider the performance of the bureaucracy during these years. A bird's eye view will reveal that there has been serious erosion of efficiency of bureaucracy. Take the case of police. They show perhaps more loyalty than public servants of other departments to the party/parties in power. However, usually those showing too much of loyalty have to pay heavily. As we see, it may be a big headache for Hawa Bhaban to allocate seats among alliance partners, junior and senior leaders of BNP (and perhaps JP). Incumbency factor can also not be ignored. Added to these are poor performance of CEC and ECs resulting in rejection of controversial voters' list by the common people. The situation assumes further gravity with unprecedented price hike, too frequent power outages, stiffening attitude of the donor countries and agencies. If no understanding can be reached through the dialogue within a short time more problems will prop up. The appointment of Justice KM Hasan to the position of chief advisor, CTG will further deteriorate the political atmosphere as the 14-party alliance cannot accept his 'neutrality'. He may be a very competent judge (as stated by the law minister), but he failed to carry out his duty as he felt too embarrassed to preside over the hearing of Bangabandhu Murder Case. The law minister tried hard to defend Hasan. To him, Hasan should be acceptable because prominent lawyers like Dr. Kamal Hossain and Rokanuddin Mahmud never complained about Hasan's integrity. But argument of lawmaker Suranjit Sengupta appears to be stronger and acceptable. A person once politicised must be regarded as politicised forever. We wish reason and prudence prevail in the dialogue. Meanwhile, if Hasan declined the offer then the President may initiate actions as per the constitution. Awami League may accept any other qualified person. This will solve the crisis. ABMS Zahur is a retired Joint Secretary.
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