Inordinate time is being spent on procedural matters rather than on a genuine and concerted effort to tackle the critical and urgent concerns. The previous transitional administrations seemed really involved, right from the word go, in important matters at hand, such as improving the law and order situation by nabbing criminals and terrorists, recovering caches of illegal arms, and retaking control of illegally encroached property and land, including the banks of the river Buriganga. The dual considerations were to do as much good as possible, and to make the best use of the relatively short 90-day tenure. The common people used to pine for the relative safety, fairness, and unselfish welfare activities of the caretaker regime.

The current caretaker regime in contrast seems rather laidback and lackadaisical, yet to find a firm footing. Otherwise, how to explain or justify the wasting of valuable time, and the waiting for two weeks before forming a working group to discuss with various political parties the ways for resolving the intractable and inexorable political predicament. Why this group could not be formed 10 or 12 days earlier is rather incomprehensible.

What some of the advisors are doing is talking and talking, and talking some more to the media, in allegories and metaphors, waxing poetic and basking in the glory of the attention and significance they are receiving. It seems that they just do not want to miss this opportunity to become media stars. The fact is that they have accomplished precious little, and the output has been rather negligible. So far the indication is that, in real terms, the honourable advisors have been working at two excruciating speeds: stop and slow. The fervent appeal to them would be to talk less and do more, much more, to overcome the on-going crisis, and to devote all their energy and efforts towards holding a free, fair, and credible election.

Speaking of deployment, you have to shake your head in utter disbelief and bewilderment at the recent goof-up regarding the deployment of the armed forces to control the law and order situation. The home secretary's circular on deployment of the army was apparently issued without following the rules of business, embarrassing the council of advisors, and that prompted the rescinding of the order . It is imperative to figure out who was behind this improper directive, and to take appropriate administrative action for this serious transgression and infraction. But frankly, I will not be holding my breadth expecting swift and punitive action against the perpetrator of this serious offense.

Let us consider some basic facts, precepts, and tenets regarding the council of advisors. The advisors are accomplished, sensible, talented, competent, respectable, and responsible men and women. Given the opportunity and leeway, they will do a credible, and even laudable, job. The problem may lie in the lack of coordination and direction, and in the fact that most of the important positions, as well as actions, are concentrated in the hands of the president/chief advisor. The president is old and infirm, a heart patient, and he urgently needs to delegate some of the vital responsibilities to the advisors who have the specific background, talent, and credentials for particular and specialized functions.

Jimmy Carter was a highly educated nuclear engineer in the US navy and governor of Georgia before becoming the president of the US. As a president, his attention to detail, and supervision of even the most minor decision, was well-known. He was considered a pedantic pedagogue and his single-term presidency, between 1976 and 1980, was considered an abject failure. He was beaten comprehensively by Ronald Reagan. Carter has, since, received a Nobel Peace Prize for his humanitarian and social work, and has proved to be the most successful former president.

Ronald Reagan was an actor, not a terribly successful one. He dabbled in actor's guild and was elected the chief of the Hollywood actor's union. He blended his acting background and union activity with conservative politics and became the governor of California in the early 1960s, just like the current California governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger. Reagan did not pay much attention to detail, and was actually photographed napping in a few cabinet meetings. But his two-term presidency, that changed the course of history, was considered extremely successful . He gave broad guidelines and let his extremely capable and dedicated advisors take care of the minute details. Reagan oversaw the end of the Cold War, the defeat of the Soviet empire, and universal acceptance of free market economy.

The moral of the story is, let the advisors in the caretaker government work independently, minimizing the role of the entrenched bureaucracy. Let the advisors do what they need to do, and what they must do, without unnecessary interference or insidious roadblocks Let them save the country from falling into the abyss, and let them work towards a free, fair, and reliable election that all sensible people want.

The author is a freelance contributor to The Daily Star.