Bangladesh was founded 52 years ago with a commitment to equality, democracy and social justice. For this independence the people of Bangladesh faced brutal genocide in 1971. Then why can’t the people of this Bangladesh cast their vote fearlessly? The public is not to be blamed for this. The fault lies with those who pretend to be ‘masters of the public’. Since independence basically three parties have ruled the country – Awami League, BNP and Jatiya Party. Sometimes they ruled alone and sometimes together with like-minded parties.
Therefore, if there is any problem related to elections in the country, then the ruling classes are increasingly responsible. Our people have never taken any wrong decision, whether in 1954 or in 1970, or in 1991, 1996, 2001 or 2008. Whenever they have got a chance to choose their representatives freely, they have chosen the right leadership. But our successive political leaderships have not delivered on their promises of “state repair” or “transformation”. After coming to power they think it is permanent.
Our political leadership uses people to come to power. But once in power, the people are the most neglected. For them, “party people”, their “own people” become important.
As these words are being written about the election, those in power and those seeking to come to power are busy in a variety of activities. He is meeting with foreign diplomats for lunch and dinner. They are clarifying the stand of their respective parties. They do not tell the people of the country what they are telling to foreign diplomats.