Iqbal Hossain

‘Who is great?’ is a famous poem of Ishsorchandra Gupta. He has said in a part of this poem-‘People say great of whom that man is great’ (Loke jakay boro bolay boro shay hoy), that is say people are charmed for whose activities, behavior and after all for his/her innumerous qualities that person is great and people love and honor him/her. In another part of the poem he has said –‘That person himself/herself would like to be great then we say him/her mean’ ( Nije boro hote chao choto bali tarey).

No one himself/herself can prove that he/she is great and virtuous insulting and character-assassinating somebody in view of making mean him/her in the society. BNP has been trying to prove itself as a great and virtuous party insulting and character-assassinating other parties especially Awami League since 2014. But does BNP have been benefited in it? Does the popularity of BNP have increased? Can the people depend on them for conducting the country truly and corruption-freely?

According to constitution the ruling Awami League government made preparations the 10th national parliament election in 2014, but BNP did not participate in this election. They informed that they would not go to poll except under the Care-taker government. But the highest Court of the country rejected the Care-taker-government system which was contrary to our constitution. Even after that the Awami League government urged BNP for discussion how the 10th national parliament election is done making a poll-time government remaining in the constitution. But BNP did not come in this discussion.

Later, Sheikh Hasina wanted to give some ministries including Home ministry to the BNP. But they also did not respond in that proposal and did not participate in the election. As a result, according to constitution many small political parties including Awami League and Jatio party participated in the 10th poll. One hundred and fifty three candidates of Awami League were elected MP without contest. Awami League formed the government obtaining majority in the poll.

After election BNP was involved in destructive activities. They created a terror-rule country-wide through vandalizing of minority community’s houses and fire-terror. They designated the Awami League government as the voter-less illegal government and published it home and abroad. BNP has been designating 153 MPs as illegal since 2014 and since no one give them vote. But BNP must know that if only one legal candidate remains in a constituency then that candidate is elected without any reason.

This rule is present not only in our constitution it is also present world-wide. But even knowing it BNP, not to participate in the poll has been driving untrue propaganda in view of making mean the Awami League. But in that BNP was not great and their popularity has not gone up a little.

BNP also demanded the Care-taker-government in the 11th national parliament election which was held in 2018, but they took decision to participate in the election being agreed in a discussion meeting with Awami league. But BNP, getting down in the vote-field got news of their extensive calamity in the poll. Yet they participated in the poll since if BNP did not participate in the election because of that their party-registration would be banned. So, BNP gave up the poll in the mid-way giving a complaint against Awami League that they compeleted vote-cast on behalf of them at night before the vote.

Yet 7 candidates including Mirza Fakrul Islam Alamgir of BNP were elected in the election. Though Mirza Fakrul gave resignation, but rest of the parliament members gave speeches remaining present in the parliament. But all MPs of BNP, without any reason resigned from the parliament before 7/8 month of ensuing 12th poll. After their resignation BNP has been making public that this government and the parliament were illegal. But when their MPs gave speeches in the parliament and took salaries and other facilities then the parliament was legal to them. How excellent thoughts of them! The people were not trouble to understand the BNP’s contradictory statement and conduct.

After the 11th parliament election BNP could not make any strong movement in the country in demand of Care-taker-government in the last four years. They have no future plan for the people. They would only like to go in power. The BNP, taking with Jamaat-e-Islam is now bringing about blockade, strike and gathering in demand of resigning the government and forming a Care-taker-government. They are also trying to bring on resignation the government and to form a poll time government with the help of the foreign diplomats. Recently the US ambassador to Bangladesh Mr Peter Hus has given urging of condition-less dialogue among the political parties. In the meantime the Election Commission has declared the poll-schedule. The 12th parliament election will be held on January 7, 2024.

So, the BNP should participate in the election not making other mean and insulting. No one can give surety of victory except people. No alternative way of going in power except participating in the poll. The BNP will have to participate in the 12th poll depending on people and taking with them. We all would like to see an animated parliament.

The writer is a columnist and retired deputy director of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy