A question is running over the political field of Bangladesh that what is the final destination of the political process, culture and political parties of the Nation. On going City Corporation Election process and a draft ordinance on people’s representation are possibly the reflection of the destination of political process, culture and practice of the country. In other words Bangladesh is preparing for a new era politics and as of the happenings, politics of the country is leading to an elitist mode. A number of political analysts cautioned that the up coming political process could make anarchy, if the new process is not practiced in proper way.
Bangladesh has a tradition and rich history of political activism which is related to the British era politics that has the experience of anti colonial struggle. In post 1947 time two line of politics was active in politics that is the Nationalist and the Communist. Muslim League was the influential Nationalist party and East Pakistan Communist Party was only left party was active in the then political scenario. Present time Bangladesh Awami League (AL) emerged from Muslim League, primarily with the flavor of Muslim nationalist and finally a secular political party; this party led the nation in the struggle for independence and the war of liberation. Left line political parties are also active in Bangladesh with important presence. Even the fundamentalists have also many political parties and the Jamate Islami Bangladesh is the bigger one, which has representation in the parliament. All those parties have the legacy of British era. Few newly emerged parties, which are founded after 1971, are also active in Bangladesh. Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) that governs the country three times is also a post liberation party. All of these politics have their front organizations among Laborers, Students, Peasants and Farmers; have their cultural wings, supporter organizations among professionals including lawyers, Physicians, engineers and Agriculturists. Some of the front organizations are associates of political parties, some are direct front and some are independent organizations who support a particular political party and the party recognizes the support.
On the other hand the non-partisan local government practice of the nation has also deep rooted to the colonial rule. The local governments were mainly represented by the feudal lords in British era. Post 1947 and 1971 scenario was almost similar in the practices of non-partisan local government practice. Military rule of Aiub Khan, Ziaur Rahman and HM Ershad was supported by the local body or they were bound to support the autocrats as the legislation has the scope to do so. Peoples upsurge in 1990 was another break through in the political history of Bangladesh. This peoples upsurge put Bangladesh to an election process and out come of the upsurge are three democratically elected political governments. In mid 80s of last century military autocrat Ershad introduced Upazila (sub district) council, which was non political as per law but it was very much political in character. After 1990 all local government election took much more political though these are non political as per legal status. City Corporation election was very much and the elected Mayors were in important position of their respective parties.
Presently interim government and concerned authorities have arranged city corporation election under state of emergency and the government trying to ensure the non political character. But the political parties, workers and supporters are very enthusiastic about the election and they are moving under the political identity. Government and a section of Civil Society leaders and intellectuals are putting the issue to make it non political. Now question is running over the issue that who will be the local government representative? Should local bodies represented by the so called local elites mainly belong to the businessmen or richer community instead of the feudal lords of 1950s or by the local level politicians? Observers and analysts said that if the unofficial political character of local bodies does not develop as a political one, which is already accepted by the people, the system could be developed as forums of local elites or it may be a major cause of anarchy in the democratic political practice.
Meanwhile the advisors council of interim government Okayed a draft Ordinance in principle which is known as People’s Order (RPO) Ordinance 2008. The draft mentioned that political parties of Bangladesh should take registration from competent authority to for activities, especially to participate in election. One of the preconditions of registration is intending parties must not have any associate of front organizations. Though this premise is supported by a quarter of intellectuals, but political workers from grassroots to the leadership are not happy. Analysts remarked that this is a provision contradictory to the tradition of the political practices of the Land. They also said that in Bangladesh, developing leadership has always been started from the student activism. The student activism has a long tradition and contribution in the socio-political changes. More over among the certificate holder literate people student community is the larger portion, so the community is responsible to talk about the social injustices on be half of their less literate or unlettered parents. Supporting political parties or to be the part of a political party for any student is not harmful as observed from the history and tradition. Well off community always against student activism as they were.
A number of political observers claimed that the affluent part of the society some how are involve in a process to make the politics for the elites in local and central levels. If the local governments go away from the grassroots political workers, these will be occupied by the local moneyed men. If the leadership development process of political parties could be slowed down for young people, where student are majority, the leadership or representation in parliament will go to the retired officers or business community, who representing the elites. As of the said observation, it could be a conclusion that politics of Bangladesh is heading to elitism with the blend of better democracy.
Here should be mentioned that, before January 2007, the activities of major political parties was not as of political norms. The front practice of the parties was gone in a level that was criticized by all. With all limitation, governance is the task of politicians and finally the task of political parties. It should be realized by all concerned. #