No doubt, the present period has all its trials and tribulations, and thanks to the present Care-taker Government (CG), the post 1/11 has witnessed some of the most remarkable achievements hitherto not seen in Bangladesh. This CG is perhaps the best thing ever happened since our liberation in 1971. Other third world countries rife with corruptions (Nigeria, India, Mexico etc) might perhaps take cue from the example as typified by this CG.

While the CG has been relentless and consistent about numerous graft arrests, yet an uncanny distance is maintained with regard to the leaders of the AL and BNP. Despite the leniency and latitude shown to them by the CG, both leaders have yet to show their commitment to fundamental reform in their parties -- we are yet to see any headway in that line -- so far none have been forthcoming!

On the contrary, ever since Shaikh Hasina was allowed into Bangladesh she has been overtly critical of the CG -- especially in the wake of recent arrests of some of her party big wigs. Even to the most apathetic she appears the most un-democratic, un-political, un-diplomatic and downright silly.

If she is so determined to keep a hold on her party she should at least support the CG's anti-corruption mission -- have we heard a single word from her condemning these colossal corruptions? Isn't it high time she came out openly with a strong word of derision for these grafts who are right now languishing in police custody pending trial?

Isn't it high time she came out strongly with statements that these grafts will never be absorbed back in the party? As for Mrs. Zia, it is difficult to judge whether she is fooling us or the CG. She has been the least forthcoming as far as reform is concerned.

She denies any existence of "Familo-cracy" in her party, and yet her own brother gets appointed to a top party position -- this very action of her not only borders on insult to our intelligence but helps to epitomize the "flagrant unilateralism" of our party leaders that plague our politics and society.

Mrs. Zia's immediate family have been implicated, charged and inducted for corruption of a colossal proportion. And despite the immense latitude the CG have shown her, the least she could do is to come out with a statement condemning these corrupt party big wigs within her party and her immediate family. None have been forthcoming thus far! Nevertheless, the two ladies have been munificently outspoken when it comes to criticizing the CG.

Their very own party bigwigs (who only recently "walked tall" with an air of touch-me-if-you-can) are spilling out (like squeezed out toothpaste) all they have, and gruesome and shocking allegations are emerging -- all of it pointing comprehensively towards their own leaders (both AL and BNP) who they constantly "tried to please" even at the expense of a greater good of this nation.

The leaders have of course denied all these allegations -- dreadful and ghastly they may be, but the magnitude of their utter shamelessness surpasses all civil norms! And they deny these charges as though these are "Monika Lewinsky" or "Watergate-tapping" kind of charges -- dismissing them as mere political aberrations.

Of course, pathetic leaders do tend to behave pathetically at times of catastrophe or perhaps, these leaders are afflicted with a deeper psychosis. Their feeble "last minute" attempt at trying to curry favor with their "fictitious" supporters is even more pathetic.

There are several AL and BNP leaning blogs on the net who are trying their best to discredit and vilify all sincere attempts and achievements thus far by the present Care-taker government. They accuse CG of being politically motivated. At the same time, both AL and BNP leaders are ceaselessly venting their ill-motivated rhetoric against the CG.

The word "shame" and "self-esteem" are not to be found in their lexicon.

Now the CG should make up their mind what to do with the litany of gross allegation against these incompetent leaders -- if the CG means business and indeed, if the CG really wants to uphold the constitutional principle that no one is above the law, why the delay?

Why this reluctance to arrest these leaders? Why this suffocating dilly-dally? Time is running out, and the credibility of the CG might run out in the process. Given the seemingly "cushy" situation, these seemingly untouchable leaders, having already acquired an insatiable taste for "unashamed" power, would stop at nothing to vilify, to undermine and to eventually perhaps unseat this CG. And that would be the grandest fiasco!

However, some political pundits and commentators have already begun their been-there-done-that kind of rhetoric -- their cynicisms may perhaps have some foundation but sooner we see some verdicts on the bigger grafts (likes of Modud Ahmed et al) the better it is for the CG.

Time and time again, the overwhelming majority of the people of this country have seen promises of better days broken, hopes shattered and livelihood plummet -- let these be things of the past -- let us usher in an era of politics which is pro-poor, pro-development, pro-nation and above all, more work and less political rhetoric!

S. I. Zaman is a University Professor.