Today will be the last day of the caretaker government that assumed power after the promulgation of the state of the emergency on January 11, 2007 in a sequel to a series of dramatic political developments full of suspense and melodrama.
The advisers of the government yesterday were busy in bidding farewell to their colleagues and subordinates and in attending farewell meetings. The Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed made the farewell call on President Dr Iajuddin Ahmed at the Bangabhaban last day.
During its almost two-year rule the army-backed CG, headed by Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed initiated a number of extraordinary steps which sparked mixed reactions among the society. The greatest success of this government no doubt is to hold the election successfully as per the declared road-map in a scenario replete with apprehension even in the last minute whether it would be held or not.
It is alleged that many including the two top leaders of the country were arrested with an aim to implement certain blue print which later could not be materialised as the concerned policymakers had the delayed realisation that democracy or reform could not be imposed and leadership could not be invented.
Due to the state of the emergency the CG could not face the political instability and violence except some unrest in the RMG sector and the students protest on the Dhaka University Campus. The campus movement followed by the imposition of curfew and the arrest of some University teachers.
But a common perception about the CG is that the country’s business and economy was greatly affected during the last two years as except some businessmen who had the blessings of the government backers most of the entrepreneurs were gripped by a sense of panic. Small and medium enterprises were severely hurt by the drive conducted in the name of demolishing illegal establishments on government lands. Abnormal inflation triggered by the high prices of essentials was also a major phenomena during the last two years.
The good initiatives includes enhancing efficiency in the Chittagong Port, promulgating some ordinances like the Right to Information Act, formation of the Human Rights Commission, restructuring the Public Service Commission and the Election Commission.
During its tenure the advisory council was reshuffled once at the middle of the tenure replacing four advisers with new faces and interestingly the latecomers were seen playing crucial role in steering the negotiation with the political leadership that led the country towards the election amid an aura of confusion.
The new faces are Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman, Major General Ghulam Quader, Hassan Ariff and Rasheda K Chowdhury.
During the CG’s tenure the nation observed surfacing of some new parties dubbed as ‘king’s party’ but eventually they were found to be the biggest flops.