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Undaunted by Defeat

Kausar Islam Ayon

Mohammad Sadeque, better known as Krishak Sadeque, probably holds an unbeaten record of competing in 38 elections at the national level, losing them all and in the process forfeiting the election deposits.

Among them, Sadeque competed in the parliamentary membership 34 times. In his last endeavour in the Dhaka- 10 by-poll last month he got only 22 votes, but did not lose hope and took another bold step to compete in the Gazipur 2 by-poll .

Sadeque, the chief of his own party -- Krishak Sramik Mukti Andolan, which hardly has sixty to seventy members, has not missed a single parliamentary election or by-polls after 1991 to date and has taken part in 25 by-polls during this period.

"Ours is a socialist party with a 14-point policy. If we can apply our policies, our country can overcome poverty and develop within no time. This is why I need to become a member of parliament" said Sadeque.

Sadeque considers his endeavour as a movement against unethical politics of Bangladesh.

"Election is my way of fighting against the present defective politics, where no politician works for the people but for power and money," said Sadeque.

"There is no parliament member who talks on behalf of the common people in the assembly. They are too busy adding onto their own facilities and power. I want to be the sole voice of common people there," said Sadeque.

A local of Bhapta, a village in Bhola, Sadeque competed his first public election in the Bhapta union parishad poll immediately after the Liberation War.

After losing the parishad polls along with the deposit, he remained silent for a long period of time. He came to the limelight once again when he brought himself to compete in the 1981 presidential election.

"I secured about 18,000 votes in that election and that is still my highest number," says Sadeque with pride.

Sixty-four year old Sadeque started his race for the parliamentary membership from the Bhola Sadar constituency in 1991. He then took part in the Barishal by-poll in the same year.

In the 8th parliamentary election in 2001 he fought from five constituencies -- Dhaka- 6, 7, 10, Bhola Sadar and Mymensingh Sadar.

He also took part at Manikgonj, Cox's Bazar and Munshigonj by-poll in the same year.

Sadeque, a diehard optimist, has also taken part in the mayoral race of the Dhaka City Corporation twice and once in Barishal.

Although Sadeque is not receiving the expected response from the public he did not give up the fight as he believes in his heart that the days are not far away when people will prefer him as their spokesperson.

"I'm a born optimist and I believe when people realise what my policies are, they will join me and the Hasina-Khaleda chapters will be then closed," he said.

Sadeque states that his party does not collect any toll forcefully, he runs his party with the donations of the common people.

"I receive donations of any amount from Tk. 5 to 1,000," he added.

Why does he roam about the country instead of stabilising his image in a specific area?

"The entire country is my constituency," answered Sadeque.

He believes that the main problem in Bangladesh is lack of leadership, which, in turn, causes chaos in the lives of the public. He wants to teach them "real" politics.

"The present leaders of Bangladesh are not for the common man. They are the heirs of politicians who know nothing of politics," said Sadeque.

Krishak Mohammad Sadeque, can be compared to the inspiration of Robert Bruce who freed Scotland from the English taking into consideration the spider's seventh endeavour to build its web. Sadeque is still striving for success to become a public representative. He believes in the proverb: "If at first you don't succeed, try, try and try again."

Copyright (R) thedailystar.net 2004