LATE in 2008, the present government was elected by a resounding margin, with more than 75 per cent of the seats in parliament. In four years, its popularity seems to have been significantly whittled down and it now just has its nose in front as per a recent opinion poll. In another nine months, when the elections are due, the position might well be reversed as per the norm of the previous four elections.
Bangladesh has had the misfortune of being ruled by dynastic families and their camp followers, except when we had a playboy president who had thrust himself upon us for about eight years. The last caretaker government tried very hard to set things right, but they were not allowed to, as the people have become reconciled and totally insensate to being governed by a one-party government. Is there any collusion between the two ladies, always at loggerheads with each other and who have never sat down together and discussed national development for over 21 years? They have become permanent fixtures in their respective parties (democracy is NOT practised there) and alternatively in national government.
Dynasties cannot nurture democratic aspirations and at the age of 80, I have seen most of them die. The next election may possibly be my last and if the ballot again gives me the same old two stale choices, I would like to be able to vote with a resounding ‘no’. But even that has been expunged from my democratic rights.
Sikander Ahmed
Dhaka