Election is Over, Time to Focus on Priorities

The most anticipated 13th national election has just concluded. BNP won a landslide. Jamaat and its allies has done exceptionally well if we consider the baseline of 2008 election. Like many analysts said, it is an election where almost everyone won.

But the real work starts now.

With the exception of news of post-election violence from across the country, there has been great resolve from all sections. Jamaat generally accepted the results. The incumbent Prime Minister Tarique Rahman paid courtesy visits to Jamaat’s Amir Dr Shafiqur Rahman’s house as well NCP’s Nahid Islam’s.

These are welcome signs for the future of Bangladesh. But for Bangladesh to deliver, the parliament has to deliver. And these are the priorities:

Settle the Referendum Confusion 

The biggest threat and uncertainty looms on the degree to which or whether at all BNP will accept the July Charter or how. Its manifesto does not follow the July Charter on the issues of upper house PR and several other sections. BNP wants to follow its own 31-point agenda. The country therefore stands on a volatile ground with regards to the referendum.

The civil society appeared divided on the referendum itself. There is a strong section of those who are in favour of it and who think without accepting the July Charter, the risk towards a winner takes it all approach on governance cannot be solved.

On the other hand, there is a group within the civil society who opposed the referendum and its questions. But they too want to block the potential risk of the government completely rejecting people’s mandate and forcing its own.

In next the next couple of weeks, we have to resolve the confusion and have consensus. BNP must not leave any confusion here. It should make its stance clear. It should provide concrete rationale for its stance and explain the pathway it wants to follow.

Manage Grassroots Politics

Bangladesh requires peace and stability. BNP must take control of its grassroots. Extortion and systematic abuse must be stopped. The party must remember that it once had to resort to Operation Clean Heart and eventually form RAB. BNP must not repeat history.

The only way to manage the grassroots is to bring them under a structure through a systematic recruitment process and to engage them as a voluntary work force in the reconstruction of Bangladesh.

There cannot be full-time grassroots politicians. If there are then they have to be salaried. Otherwise, it should become a system for recruiting talents for local government election and the national election. It is time BNP becomes bold.

Stop Opposition Oppression

BNP as the elected party to run the government now represents every citizen of Bangladesh. There should be zero tolerance to systematic abuse, torture, and oppression on opposition party activists or voters. Rule of justice should prevail.

Stop Mob Anarchy

Historically, the opposition never accepted the government. Their only game was to destabilize the country to ensure that the government fails. This was their way to create the condition to win the next election. Bangladesh feeds on anti-establishment sentiment. The opposition always exploited it. It is time that this culture is changed.

There is welcome new from both Jamaat-e-Islami and NCP that they will be forming shadow government. We want them to stop street fights. We want them to engage in governance. And the government also has the responsibility to ensure that the opposition has a say and their voices are heard.

Make Parliament Work

People voted for the Parliament. It is wrong to assume that the task of governance is only with the party forming the government. Growth lies in the tension of the forces in favour and against the motion. Healthy and informed parliamentary debate will ensure that the policies are pro-people. The opposition should be present in the parliament and participate in healthy debate. The speaker will have the solemn responsibility to ensure that all voices are heard.

On that note, we must now step out of the parliamentary speeches that are shameless display of sycophancy.

For the first time in the parliament, we will have a Prime Minister and an Opposition Leader who do not have fancy titles that precede their name. I hope, I fervently hope, that our new breed of parliamentarians will learn to talk straight to the point and straight to the heart. I hope there will be no walk out. I hope the Prime Minister will be present in every session. I hope the ministers will come prepared to face brutal questions. I hope the MPs will come prepared to ask the brutal questions.

Strengthen Diplomatic Ties

The diplomatic ties have been fractured at a time when the global geo-political tension has escalated at an unprecedented level. I believe Bangladesh is in a unique position to establish historical ties with both India and Pakistan. There should be no hesitation in having strong discussion with India and Pakistan on trade deals that benefit the countries and the region. The signals must be given immediately.

Bangladesh must remember that every exchange requires transactions. 

Bangladesh should explore ties with Africa, Central Asia, South East Asia and MENA.

Bangladesh should definitely strengthen its ties with European Union, Japan, Korea, China, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Netherlands and the Nordic countries.

Canada is aggressively looking for trading partners. Bangladesh cannot miss out the opportunity.

The relationship with the United States is one where Bangladesh’s decision depends on the decisions of the rest of the world. Bangladesh must take positive approach to establish greater ties with the US and while doing so, it must ensure that it does not destabilize its other ties.

Control Food Prices

Ramadan is coming. If the prices shoot up, the government will find itself in a chaos that would affect all the other priorities.

I would suggest to immediately set-up a strong task force that is headed by Tariique Rahman which should sit every day during Ramadan to monitor syndicates and demand and supply challenges that may shoot the price of essentials high during Ramadan.

This will be the first litmus test for the government and one that it cannot afford to fail.

Form a CHange Cabinet

It is time we moved from change is coming to change has happened. I strongly recommend to start with a small cabinet with a mix of veteran politicians, young politicians, and technocrats. The scale can be extended after 6 months once the foundations are laid.

But a large cabinet will cause management nightmare and decisions will get obstructed.

Finally, Speak to People Bi-weekly

Tarique Rahman should address the nation bi-weekly to explain the initiatives that were taken and the results that have been achieved.

He needs to talk heart to heart with people with compassion. He needs to be visible and approachable. Trust is the currency we are looking for.

Good luck, Bangladesh.

Md. Rubaiyath Sarwar is the Managing Director, INNOVISION Consulting.