As the head of the state it is of course constitutionally binding upon him to intervene in any administrative crisis. Subsequent to former Chief Justice KM Hasan's declining to accept the office of the head of caretaker government, the widely acknowledged experts of constitution came up with a good number of options that could be adopted to offset the impending crisis. By and large their interpretations were uniform and the President had the liberty to select any one of them. But, to the utter surprise and consternation of the literal wizards in the area, who are even internationally acclaimed as such, the President turned to the Attorney General for advice. Such a conjecture on his part strangely coincided with the inner mind of the leaders of the outgoing BNP-led 4-party government. The whole process had been abrupt in as much as that the President couldn't afford himself time for a second thought.

It is perhaps needless to reiterate, in this connection, the invincible 'loyalty' factor that compelled the President to take such a hasty decision. In fact, KM Hasan's shadow was yet to disappear from the national scenario when Prof. Iazuddin Ahmed, essentially a BNP beneficiary, took over the concurrent responsibility of the Chief Adviser of the caretaker government. Even though the Awami League led 14-party alliance claimed to have earned a moral victory as a result of Justice KM Hasan's stepping aside, Iazuddin Ahmed's stepping in could have reverted the country back to square one. But it didn't happen so. Awami League led alliance opted for a conditional acceptance of the changed situation. The President-cum-head of the caretaker government was given time to prove his neutrality. However, the time being insufficient, upon request from the other end, it was extended to November 11 instead. The President and head of the caretaker government was also fore warned to show his absolute neutrality through fulfilling their 11-point demand by that time. Else, the 14-party alliance would resume its temporarily suspended siege programme from November 12.

Meantime, support to the 11-point demand largely widened. Removal of the chief election commissioner along with the other three election commissioners, reform of the election commission and of the whole administration infested by BNP-Jamaat incumbents, etc. were the major issues in the 11-point demand. Though there has been some transfers of government officers here and there in the name of reshuffle it is yet to satisfy the demands of the 14-party alliance and as such dismissed as mere eye wash. On the most pressing issue of CEC's removal a news was circulated that the advisers of the caretaker government arrived at a consensus that the CEC would be requested to vacate to show respect to the popular demand. At such a critical juncture BNP chairperson advised the President and head of the caretaker government not to give in to any pressure, in a public meeting. She reiterated that the CEC MA Aziz was absolutely non-partisan and there couldn't be any doubt about his capability to conduct a free and fair election. On the other hand, besides Awami League led 14-party alliance, the principal contender, the Nagorik Committee-2006 composed of many eminent intellectuals, former top-ranking civil servants, elites of the civil society, and Sammilito Sangskirtik Jote as well as other socio-cultural organisations had submitted memoranda to the President at Bangabhaban on similar demands.

Earlier Nobel Peace Prize winner Professor Dr. Mohammad Yunus attended a state reception hosted by the President and caretaker government head at Bangabhaban. Replying to the address of welcome and felicitation Professor Yunus exhorted his host to be bold and decisive in all his actions in performing his new responsibilities. Implyingly, he wanted the President to exercise his sense of judgment and fair play.

Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina expressed her dissatisfaction with the virtual inaction on the part of the President. She insisted conclusively that she and her alliance would watch the steps to be taken by the caretaker government. If they continue to be unsatisfactory the 14-party alliance would resume the hitherto suspended blockade programme across the country. It would all depend on the action desired in the 11-point demand, to be taken by the President. However, the present turmoil is expected to subside substantially if the stubborn CEC MA Aziz steps down. It may be recalled in this particular context that Justice KM Hasan's indecision for long aggravated the fracas and by the time he succumbed to the pricks of his conscience, there was a toll of 25 lives across the country in bloody battle on the streets. Justice Aziz, it is hoped would no longer bide time and push the nation to a point of no return. Coincidentally BNP leader MK Anwar and Jamaat-i-Islami leader Abdur Razzak Khan jointly representing 4-party alliance met CEC MA Aziz at the Election Commission, evidently to buck him up. From MK Anwar's statement to the press outside CEC office it was clear that the incumbent was re-assured of the support of 4-party alliance. Such an undesirable stance was sure to compound the crisis.

BNP chairperson is fond of claiming in public meetings quite often that her party is the biggest in the country. She also adds that her party enjoys full support of the majority population who, she hopes, will replicate their massive support given in 2001 election. If she really means it and believes in such a possibility why then she appears so very concerned about the demand of her adversaries for removal of CEC Aziz and his commissioners. This and many other relevant questions can be asked. In this context we very pertinently allude to the commentary of the editor of Prothom Alo in his paper on November 08 where the CEC was straightway charged with lying on the reported visit of an Adviser of the caretaker government at CEC's office. The Adviser himself told the news media that he visited the CEC along with the Military Secretary of the President. The CEC was requested by the pressmen to give his comments on Lt. Gen (retd.) Hassan Masud Chowdhury's statement. Visibly annoyed and wearing a pallid look he replied "I detest hearing the same question repeatedly." Yes, he should. Because he had no way out being caught off-foot having recourse to a lie.

The pressure on CEC is ever mounting for his arrogance and on the President-cum-Chief Adviser of caretaker government for his inaction on the 11-point demand of 14-party alliance. Besides, his claim in his meeting with the secretaries and other senior officers of the government that they were now under a Presidential type of government invited severe criticism among all and sundry. A press release from Bangabhaban this evening claimed that some of the newspapers mis-interpreted the statement of the President. Whatever could have been the intention, the statement as such has been taken for infringement of the provisions in the constitution.

In any case, the situation continues to be highly volatile and uncertain. If the President and Chief Adviser of the caretaker government doesn't prove his neutrality as per his oath of office and constitution, the 14-party alliance would have no other choice but to resume the siege. This time it is fraught with terrible apprehensions of fierce battle between 14-party alliance and BNP-led 4-party alliance. The latter announced that they too would be on the street. What else could be less provocative than such a pre-meditated confrontation? Only a miracle would save the nation from such an impending disaster. And indeed the key to such a miracle is with the CEC Justice MA Aziz. David Hume (1711-1776), a very famous historian and philosopher of Scotland once gave his views on arrogance this way: "When men are most sure and arrogant they are commonly most mistaken, giving views to passion without proper deliberation which alone can secure them from the grossest absurdities.

Kazi Alauddin Ahmed is a management consultant.