The word politics does not seem to be well defined in the dictionary. Encyclopedia Britannica says the word politics came from Greek word "polis" meaning city or state; this means affairs relating to a city or state. But in Bangla the word politics means Rajniti which should normally mean Nitis -- the norms and principles created and practiced by the Rajas, (kings and emperors) for ruling the subjects under them. Such Rajniti cannot bring democracy which obviously means Nitis or principles followed by the people to rule or govern themselves. The suggestion is -- we should consider changing the Bangle translation of politics from Rajniti to Gononiti or Jononiti and politicians Gononitibid or Jononitibid.

Political reforms
There must be extensive reform in our political system. Unfortunately, politics in Bangladesh has really been Madam or Apa Rajniti as the parties went by whatever Madam or Apa said. But now things are changing. Even within the parties the reform proposals are being put forward.

The Election Commission has also been rightly insisting on reforms of the present politics for bringing in democracy within the political parties. Such reforms are necessary for the purpose of registration of the political parties. The commission has said that such reforms are to be done by the parties themselves. It goes without saying that it cannot be imposed from outside. However, some guidelines can be suggested to facilitate their reform work.

What it means now is it has to be a joint a decision making process and revolving presidency within the political parties. Some of the issues are already on the table for discussion. One view is that the people involved in the party management and administration must not be in the government. This means if Madam and Apa remain chiefs of the respective parties, which seem rather difficult under the present political situation because of widespread allegations of corruption and mismanagement against them, they must not be in the government.

Lootocracy!
Extremely shocking information are coming to light every day through media apparently based on interrogation reports of the Joint Task Forces about the amount of people's wealth plundered by the looters. They created lootaracy under the garb of democracy. Let Anti-corruption Commission work hard, as it is doing now, and report its findings.

How much money does a man need? Do they not know they will also have to leave this world one day and that could come any time. They must also know that nobody in this world has so far been able to enjoy their plundered assets -- all remained in foreign banks and banks benefited. One Eleven has brought disaster for these looters; they have no chance of enjoying the loots ever.

Envoys' role
Some envoys have been crying hoarse for immediate opening up of the indoor politics. Indeed, some of them openly criticised the government for not opening up. This was openly objected to by some politicians and many civil society members over the last couple of months through the media and particularly the TV talk shows. Even the Law Adviser himself clearly disapproved such comments in one of his remarks some time ago.

One newspaper (The Daily Star June 19, 07) reported -- "US Envoy discourages formings political party 'under pressure'". She openly said," I do not want to see anybody coerced or forced to join a new party and certainly we do not want to see any military involvement in politics... I have made this point before that military should not take any sort of political role." She talked in terms of -- 'I'. This is never done by an accredited representative of a country. We as citizens would like to put a question -- why should she say things that infringe the sovereignty of Bangladesh? Can an envoy of any country in Washington do that? Certainly not. An envoy representing a great country and the superpower like the USA should particularly observe the limits set by the international conventions.

Our military establishment already made its position clear. This came out in the daily newspapers. Unfortunately, one or two more envoys also made some remarks on internal affairs that infringe the sovereignty of the country. Some of our politicians are also to partly blame. The envoys apparently do such things as some of our political leaders go to them and seek their help.

Even our media people are not supposed to ask the envoys to give their views openly on internal matters of the country as they are not entitled to talk openly on such matters through media. They can always talk about culture, traditions, history, environment and other international matters that concern our respective countries. They or any delegations of their countries can also hold press conference if it is a joint one with our officials on agreed matters.

It has also been observed that some of our Advisers and important institutions allow TV cameras to cover their meetings with such envoys and foreign delegates. This should be discouraged as envoys often talk things which should not received open publicity. This is particularly valid for our foreign office as it often deals with envoys or foreign representatives on very critical issues. It would be advisable to be less "visible" as they are not politicians. This is being raised here as many people have been criticising these matters.

Concluding remark
In any case, a clean environment has to be created before the election takes place. The Road Map has to be set by the CTG with clearly laid down time frame for the major works to be completed by all institutions and particularly by the Election Commission. Only then the goal can be achieved.

However, only changes in the political parties' structures and rules would not be enough. The members of the political parties must bring in real changes in the mind set with open promise to the nation not to indulge in any corruption, muscle power, grabbing of others' properties etc. Service to the people must be the only motto. If the politicians do not indulge in these anti-social activities, others including bureaucracy and business men would also not indulge in such activities.

What is needed is complete overhauling of the political, administrative and business systems. Only then real democracy can return to the country. It has to be done in such as transparent way which may oblige the Transparency International (TI) to pack up and go back to Berlin. That would indeed be the real achievement of the One Eleven.

Muslehuddin Ahmad is a former secretary and ambassador and founder VC of North South University.