Leadership : Who stands where?
A PROBE report April 17-23
Bangladesh is going through a transition period where leadership, political and otherwise, is concerned. Whether it is on physical or political grounds, many leaders are doing a disappearing act. It is not only the old guards who are fading away, but many relatively newer faces in the political and other arenas of the country are gradually being elbowed out of the scene. Age, political circumstances and other factors which are responsible for several familiar faces vanishing into oblivion. The national scenario is undergoing a definitive change. While some are beating an exit, there are those who remain steadfast, despite all odds. Then there are those who are waiting in the wings, ready to emerge into the limelight at the slightest chance. Then, again, there are those who remain in reserve. They will appear on the national scene at the opportune moment.
The onset of the army-backed caretaker government of Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed in 2006 was seen as a crucial turning point in the nation's history.. It put paid to the career of many politicians and also gave birth to many others, only to fade out into obscurity once again. TV talk shows also brought many to the public eye, while a good number of prominent businessmen were cut down to size. With a political government once again holding the reins of the country, PROBE takes a look at leadership, at who stands where in the national scene. Some stand 'exhausted' with no political future in sight; some are inactive, choosing political seclusion voluntarily or otherwise; there are those in the 'line of fire', targetted on various charges; again, there are those who remain active through thick and thin. No chronological order or sequence has been maintained in listing the leaders. This is the beginning of a series of analysis of the various persons from various sectors of society, political, social, business, cultural and more...
One-eleven, the pivotal eleventh day of January 2006, came at a time when the BNP-led four-party alliance government had just handed over power to the caretaker government of the President at the time, Prof. Iajuddin. At that juncture, backed by the army, Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed's caretaker government took over power, declaring all-out war against corruption. BNP, being the last incumbent government, bore the brunt of this battle and most of its leaders found themselves behind bars or exiled. Awami League also had its share of arrests and convictions, but the December 2008 election changed the scenario. After the election that swept Awami League to power, many of its leaders are back in the reckoning. Some of the reformists find themselves in the bad books. As for the BNP politicians, many are still in trepidation, cases and charges handing over their heads like Damocles' sword. Some, though, have braved it all and still stand strong...
The BNP band
Lutfozzaman Babar
Former State Minister for Home Affairs of the BNP-led four-party alliance government. He was elected MP from Netrakona in 2001 from BNP. He was charged with corruption by the caretaker government, arrested and tortured. He contested in the 2008 election, but lost. He has faded from the scene.
Present status: Exhausted. He faces several cases, but is out on bail. However, having lost the last election, he has no impact either in his constituency or in the party. It would be difficult for him to regain a foothold in the party.
Barrister Nazmul Huda
This BNP leader was twice minister -- Information Minister of the BNP cabinet in 1991-96 and Communications Minister in 2001-2006. He was elected MP thrice. During the caretaker government he faced several corruption charges and was in jail.
Present status: On the brink of fading from the scene, he is now struggling hard to make a comeback. He is very vocal, appearing on TV talk shows regularly. He does have a hold in his home constituency, but his image as a national leader has been dealt a severe blow. He is in the line of fire of the Awami League government. His chances of making a tangible comeback are still bleak.
Khandakar Delwar Hossain
The present Secretary General of BNP was three times MP and during the party's last term in power he was the Chief Whip of the National Parliament. The allegations of corruption were levelled against his sons rather than him. He is credited for keeping BNP active and alive after 1/11. He fought tooth and nail for the party and continues to do so. He is a die-hard Begum Zia loyalist.
Present status: Active. He will remain active in the party for as long as he can. However, age, diabetes, lung and heart problems may prove to be a deterrent to his leadership. The post of party Secretary General is strenuous and demands physical fitness, particularly if BNP plans for a movement in the coming days. He will remain politically active as long as his health permits.
Tariqul Islam
He was twice MP and minister of the BNP cabinets in 1979 and in 2001 -- Minister for Information and Minister for Environment respectively. He and his family have been accused of corruption. The Awami League government had also accused him of involvement in the Udichi case, but could not prove the allegations.
Present status: Exhausted. Physical illness and allegations of corruption against him as well as his family in Jessore, have put paid to any chance of a comeback for this leader.
Morshed Khan
Former Foreign Minister is also a prominent businessman, his businesses includes the Pacific Group and City Cell. He was twice MP from his constituency in Chittagong. Facing corruption charges, he left the country following the 1/11 takeover and has been away since. He was accused of evading taxes.
Present status: Inactive. Being out of the country, he is totally out of the scene. However, money talks and this may be his saviour.
Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku
This former minister faces corruption charges. He was arrested during the caretaker government rule, along with family. He was State Minister for Power in the BNP government. His father had been a minister during Pakistan times.
Present status: Inactive. Out on bail, he has not ventured into politics again. It will be near impossible for him to make a comeback because of the huge corruption charges against him.
Dr. Osman Faruk
This former Education Minister used to live abroad for long. His brother, a US Ambassador, is close to US President Barack Obama. His father was Vice Chancellor, Dhaka University. After 1/11, Dr. Osman Faruk joined the reformist group within BNP. He was MP once.
Present status: Inactive. Will stage a come back. Once the reformists of BNP merge with the mainstream party, he will come back into the limelight along with others of his ilk.
Mirza Abbas
A prominent BNP leader, Mirza Abbas was a Jubo Dal leader and the Mayor of Dhaka. His induction into politics was through BNP. He has a strong hold in Dhaka, his constituency in particular.
Present status: Active. The Anti-Corruption Commission has several corruption charges against him, but he is extremely strong in his constituency and wields considerable influence both within the party and in the city. He has considerable muscle and money power. He is actively working with Khandakar Delwar Hossain.
Sadeq Hossain Khoka
A freedom fighter, this BNP leader is the Mayor of Dhaka. He was Minister of Livestock. He has considerable clout in Dhaka. The caretaker government brought several charges of corruption against him.
Present status: Active. Though he faces corruption charges, his influence in Dhaka ensures that he remains active in politics.
Saifur Rahman
A chartered accountant by profession, Saifur Rahman entered politics along with Ziaur Rahman. He has held the portfolio of Minister for Finance and Planning longest in Bangladesh. During the rule of the alliance government, his sons and daughter became powerful and involved in corruption. Circumstances after 1/11 obliged Saifur Rahman to join hands with Mannan Bhuiyan's reformist camp. However, before leaving for abroad on treatment, he once again pledged his allegiance to Begum Khaleda Zia. He lost the election in the Sylhet-1 seat last time.
Present status: Exhausted. Though he appears at the party's standing committee meetings, this octogenarian has long lost his physical fitness as well as his personal image within the party.
Naser Rahman
Naser Rahman is alleged to have used his father's position as a senior minister to make money on the side. He became MP during the alliance government rule, elected from the seat left by his father. But power apparently went to his head and he was strongly criticised for his wayward behaviour and arrogance, along with corruption. He was sent to jail after 1/11.
Present status: Exhausted. He is presently out on bail, but his bad image has put paid to any hope of his retrieving his past political position. And in the absence of father Saifur Rahman, Naser's position in politics is zero.
Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury
Son of Muslim League leader Fazlul Quader Chowdhury, Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury is an influential personality in national politics. His family has a well-established shipping business, but his main occupation is politics. During the rule of the alliance government, he was Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's Advisor for Political and Parliamentary Affairs. This veteran politician has a penchant for stormy debate. He was arrested after 1/11 on Anti-Corruption Commission's charges.
Present status: In the line of fire. Though he has a strong presence in BNP as a right-wing leader, the Awami League government has him in their sights. They are alleging his involvement in the recent BDR carnage and may also enlist him as a war criminal.
Nasiruddin Pintu
Former student leader of Chhatra Dal, Nasiruddin Pintu of BNP was elected MP from Lalbagh, Dhaka, but went to jail several times on criminal charges. He was arrested on several charges during 1/11 and his activities tarnished the party's image. He lost the last election. The government is trying to find evidence of his involvement in the BNP carnage.
Present status: Exhausted. Pintu has lost all credibility among party leaders and supporters and it is not likely that he will make a comeback.
Chowdhury Kamal Ibne Yusuf
Hailing from a aristocratic family of Faridpur, Chowdhury Kamal Ibne Yusuf has a eventful political career. He was MP and minister several times over. After 1/11 he became somewhat inactive.
Present status: Active. He is once again active in mainstream BNP. Though he lost in the last election, he has a bright future in politics. He is very popular in his area.
Shahjahan Siraj
Former JSD leader Shahjahan Siraj joined BNP and was minister twice. However, along with his wife and son, he became involved in unbridled corruption. The Anti-Corruption Commission filed cases against him but he could not be arrested.
Present status: Exhausted. He is presently at large. He is nowhere in politics, neither at a national level nor at a party level.
In the meantime, veteran politician and former Home Minister Abdul Matin Chowdhury's political career has ended in all senses, age and ailments rendering his present status exhausted. Former State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Major Kamrul Islam faces corruption charges. He suffers from an image crisis and his present status in the political realm is seen as exhausted. Former Telecommunications Minister Barrister Aminul Huq remains a fugitive since 1/11. The Anti-Corruption Commission has several charges against him and he is considered a spent force, exhausted. He has little hope of political revival.
Arrested and out on bail, Ruhul Quddus Dulu, Barrister Shahjahan Omar, Nurul Islam Moni, Fazlur Rahman Potol, Haris Chowdhury, Shahjahan Omar, Salahuddin Ahmed, Nadim Mostafa, Ziaul Haq Zia and Mir Nasir, are all politically inactive for the time being.
Shahidul Huq Jamal, Shah Abdul Hossain and Ali Newaz Khaiyyam are all of the Mannan Bhuiyan reformist camp. They may still stage a political comeback.
While there are no allegations against Kabir Hossain and Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Ziaur Rahman Khan, Lutfor Rahman Azad and Mizanur Rahman Minu. They are apparently inactive at the moment. Kabir Hossain may bid farewell to politics on age grounds, but Amir Khasru is likely to stage a comeback.
Awami Leaguers
Abdul Jalil
Son of a prominent jute businessman, Abdul Jalil went to study law in London towards the later sixties. However, at the behest of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, he returned to the country to join politics. He then joined the Independence War in 1971. After much struggle in the party, he managed to gain the post of General Secretary. In 1996, when Awami League came to power, he was made Commerce Minister in the technocrat quota. During the alliance government, he came under strong criticism for his infamous April 30 declaration. After 1/11, he was the first among his party leaders to be arrested. He declared his departure from politics and went to Singapore for treatment. In his absence, Syed Ashraful Islam was made Acting General Secretary. Returning from abroad, Abdul Jalil tried to return to his former post in the party, but was rebuffed.
Present status: Exhausted. He was elected MP from Naogaon in the last election but was not made minister. He is General Secretary of the party in name only. It is not likely that he will win back Awami League President Sheikh Hasina's favour.
Mohammed Nasim
Mohammed Nasim is the son of Awami League leader Captain Mansur Ali who was killed in the jail killing of November 3, 1975. He is a dedicated Awami League leader and had tremendous influence in the party. In the last rule of Awami league, he was Home Minister, but the power went to his head. He openly targetted his political opposition and blatantly abused his power. He was arrested after 1/11. He did not return to politics after release due to weak health. He was not nominated in the last election, though his son Joy got the nomination in his place.
Present status: Exhausted. He is presently visible in the political arena again, but has neither his past clout nor image. He is virtually a dead horse.
Abdul Hasnat Abdullah
Abul Hasnat Abdullah is cousin of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. His father Abdur Rab Serniabat was killed in the 1975 political killing. He was elected twice MP from Barisal-1, in 1991 and 1996. He was the Chief Whip of the National Parliament in the party's previous rule. He used to be very powerful at one point and his sons abused this power to the extreme, involved in all sorts of crime and corruption. During the caretaker government rule, he remained abroad. The Anti-Corruption Commission filed cases against him. He was not nominated in the last election.
Present status: Inactive. Though presently in the country, he is inactive in politics. However, as the party is in power, he may stage a comeback. He may use his family ties in this regard.
Saber Hossain Chowdhury
Son of industrialist Hedayet Hossain Chowdhury, Saber Hossain Chowdhury was educated abroad and is a successful businessman too. He joined Awami League in 1996 and was elected MP from Dhaka. He became a minister at the age of 36. Known as a dynamic leader, Sheikh Hasina appointed him as her Political Secretary. He wielded considerable influence in the party. He lost the 2001 election, but remained active in politics. He joined hands with the reformists after 1/11 and also cooperated with the caretaker set-up. He supported the national government concept. None of this escaped Sheikh Hasina's and so, despite becoming an MP, he has failed to re-enter her good books.
Present status: Exhausted. However, if a national crisis emerges in the future, his star may rise again.
Mahmudur Rahman Manna
Fiery student leader of JSD and twice elected VP of DUCSU, Mahmudur Rahman Manna may have joined Awami League, but could hardly create an impact in national politics. He seems to have become lost in Awami League's vast political canvas. He may have been pro-reforms after 1/11, but has always upheld the interests of the party. However, he is not in favour of the party's top leadership and was not nominated in the last election. He runs a readymade garment business.
Present status: Exhausted. If he can manage to gain Sheikh Hasina's favour, he may come back into prominence.
Prof. Abu Sayeed
Former VP of RUCSU, Prof. Abu Sayeed has been with Awami League politics for the past four decades. He had been State Minister for Information during Awami League's last rule. This straightforward politicians was strongly in favour of reforms within the party after 1/11 for which he fell from Sheikh Hasina's grace. He was deprived of nomination in the last election.
Present status: Staging a comeback. After a stand-off period, he is back in the party and an active member of the working committee. He has managed to catch Sheikh Hasina's attention at the working committee meetings.
Kazi Zafrullah
Businessman Kazi Zafrullah's father was close to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. This connection brought Kazi Zafrullah into close proximity of Sheikh Hasina. He was elected MP from Faridpur in 2001. He has foreign connections for which Hasina gave him importance. In fact, he easily became a presidium member, despite many veterans vying for the coveted position. He stayed away from the country throughout the caretaker period. He was not nominated in the last election and is no longer important in Hasina's eyes.
Present status: Exhausted. Without Hasina's blessings, this leader is now completely out of politics.
Jainul Hazari
Notorious Jainul Hazari won the 1996 election as MP and became a virtual warlord of Feni. He created his own army of criminals, unleashing a reign of terror. Extortion and other crimes continued unabated. His criminal activities came to the media spotlight after he tortured reporter Tipu Sultan. He ran away to India when the four-party alliance government came to power. He stayed away from the country for these past seven years and was convicted in absentia in several cases.
Present status: Exhausted. Back in the country, he is trying hard to come back into prominence, but the people haven't forgotten his misdeed and he has no place in the party either.
Former Minister Mofazzel Hossain Chowdhury Maya, former MP Shameem Osman, Haji Selim, Dr. H Iqbal and Haji Maqbul Hossain all gained notoriety during the rule of the last Awami League government due to their overt misuse of power. The four-party government filed cases against them. All of them went into hiding during the caretaker government of Fakhruddin Ahmed. They have faded from the political arena, exhausted their political careers. There is little chance of any of them staging a comeback.
Jatiya Party personages
HM Ershad
Referred to as the autocrat who ruled the nation for nine years, former President HM Ershad is a versatile politician. Wanting to be President one more time in his advanced years, he joined hands with the Awami League-led mahajote (grand alliance), but was not given the office.
Present status: Dying horse. Elected MP, he has had to swallow his anger at not being made President. Age is against him and as he spends the next five years as Member of Parliament, his political career will be on the wane.
Raushan Ershad
Begum Raushan Ershad successfully shrugged off the stigma of being the 'autocrat's accomplice' and made a political career of her own. Though she was elected MP in the Rangpur by-election, she does not have a good standing in the Awami League-led mahajote.
Present status: Dying horse. Getting on in years, the next five years as Member of Parliament may be Raushan Ershad's last stint in politics.
Anisul Islam Mahmud
After a long stint of inactivity, this former Water Minister of the Ershad-government began active again in 2006 and took over as Jatiya Party's Acting Chairman. He played a pivotal role in forging an understanding between Jatiya Party and Awami League.
Present status: Lost prominence. Though he won in the last election he some what lost prominence in the party. He has no importance in Jatiya Party anymore. With other leaders closer to Ershad, the power point of the party, he is not likely to come to top leadership.
Ziauddin Bablu
Former left-wing student leader, Ziauddin Bablu was State Minister for Education in the Ershad cabinet. After Ershad's fall in 1990, Bablu went into oblivion. His grouping with Anisul Islam Mahmud in the party brought him back into the scene. His role centered on the election and he has fallen back into obscurity.
Present status: Exhausted. He is hardly seen at Jatiya Party meetings. It doesn't seem that he is likely to come to political prominence in the future.
GM Kader
GM Kader entered politics with brother HM Ershad and is now a powerful personality in Jatiya Party politics. He has good foreign connections. Awami League puts much more trust in GM Kader than they do in Ershad.
Present status: Active. He is now Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism and has a bright future in politics. He is the most likely candidate to take over Jatiya Party once Ershad retires from party and politics.
The Jamaat predicament
Moulana Matiur Rahman Nizami
Amir of Jamaat-e-Islami, Moulana Nizami was Industries Minister of the alliance government. He took Pakistan's side during the 1971 Independence War. He was arrested in the GATCO case by the caretaker government, but later was released on bail by the same government. There are questions as to whether he will be elected Amir of the party in its next election.
Present status: In the line of fire. He is likely to stand trial as war criminal. Jamaat says they will tackle the charges through legal process. They are likely to face the matter politically too.
Jamaat Secretary General and former Social Welfare Minister, Ali Ahsan Mujahid, Assistant Secretary General Qamaruzzaman, Qader Mollah, former MP Abdus Sobhan, Delwar Hossain Sayeedi and industrialist Mir Kasem all face war criminal charges. They too will have to stand trial. All of them are in the line of fire.
Barrister Abdur Razzak
Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Barrister Abdur Razzak is viewed as the new generation Jamaat leader, likely to take the reins of the party if the veterans are convicted of war crimes. He has acceptability among western quarters.
Present status: Active. His positive image may have led the present government to try and indict him in the BDR carnage case.
Islamic parties
Moulana Muhiuddin Khan
Editor of Monthly Madina, Moulana Muhiuddin Khan is leader of one faction of Islami Oikya Jote. He has been accused of war crimes, and a case has already been filed in Gafargaon against him.
Present status: In the line of fire. Advanced in years, this prominent alem of the country is more or less silent in politics. He is still active, though, in upholding the interests of Islam.
Mufti Fazlul Huq Amini
Islami Oikya Jote leader Amini was elected MP from Brahmanbaria in 2001 as candidate of the four-party alliance. His comments at various times created controversy and he is known to be rather erratic.
Present status: In the line of fire. Investigations are on regarding his involvement in war crimes. He is also suspected of connection with various militant activities.
Military men
Chief of Army Staff Gen. Moeen U Ahmed has been in prominence. He is likely to be in the scene in the days to come.
The recent BDR tragedy saw the loss of many lives, many of whom where brilliant army officers. The carnage saw the death of one Major General, two Brigadier Generals, 17 Colonels, eleven Lt. Colonels, 20 Majors and two Captains, among others. Not long after that, Maj. Gen. Rafiq, GOC of Jessore, was killed in a helicopter crash.
Recently a host of army officers have been sent on retirement. They include Maj. Gen. Amin, DG Ansars and then with the Foreign Office; Maj. Gen. Aminul Karim; and Maj. Gen. Fahtmi Roomi, GOC, Rangpur.
Lt. Gen. (retd) Hasan Mashud was Chairman, Anti-Corruption Commission. He is out of the scene now, but in the line of fire.
Lt. Gen. Masud Uddin, Ambassador to Australia, has been "safely forgotten". His Rakkhi Bahini past may act as a safeguard from the line of fire, analysts say.
Brig. Gen. Bari, DA, Washington, has been recalled. Brig. Millat, Commandant, EBRC; Brig. Gen. Sohel, Brigade Commander, Rangamati; Brig. Gen. Wajed Thakur, Commandant, BMA; and Brig. Gen. Rokon, who was in peace keeping mission in Kuwait have all been given early retirement. Maj. Gen. Rokon, Ambassador, Myanmar, has gone on normal retirement.
Miscellaneous...
Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan
This left leader came to prominence when he took up nationalist politics and joined BNP. As BNP Secretary General, he became the LGRD Minister. He had a clean image all along. After 1/11, he took a stance against Khaleda Zia and led the reformist section of the party, in collusion with the initiators of 1/11. He was expelled from the party and was often in the limelight during the two-year rule of the Fakhruddin government. He managed to divide BNP, but failed to consolidate his part of the party. Most of the leaders who had sided with him are back in the Khaleda camp. He was an independent candidate in the last election and was defeated.
Present status: Will stage a comeback. He is maintaining a low profile in politics at present but can't be called inactive. He is likely to rise again when the time is right.
Badruddoza Chowdhury
This flamboyant physician has had a colourful political career with BNP, rising to the office of President. Then when he took a stand against the party, he was impeached and later formed his own party, Bikalpadhara. He tried his best to hit back at BNP, but as his party began to fizzle out, he joined hands with Col. Oli Ahmed to form the Liberal Democratic Party of LDP. But after clashing with Col. Oli, he went back to Bikalpadhara and after 1/11 became vocal in his support for the caretaker government. In the hope of forming a national government, he even joined hands with Dr. Kamal Hossain for a while. Things didn't work out there either and he went ahead with his party, supported by son Mahi B Chowdhury and Maj. Mannan. He lost in the last election.
Present status: Exhausted. B Chowdhury actually lost all political clout after leaving BNP. Age is also against him. He may appear from time to time on TV health programmes, but is nowhere in politics.
Once a dynamic student leader, Ferdous Ahmed Quraishi entered BNP politicsfollowing Ziaur rahman, but failed to put on an impressive performance in the party. It was only after 1/11 that he came to prominence as a staunch supporter of the event. He formed Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), termed as the King's Party, but it failed to take off. It didn't win a single seat in the last election. He is active in politics at present.
Former State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Awami League, Abul Hasan Chowdhury also joined PDP, rallying in favour of reforms. He is more or less inactive in the present circumstances. He may well turn around in future and come back to prominence.
Dr. Kamal Hossain
Though a prominent lawyer, as a politician Dr. Kamal Hossain has never quite made it to the top. He is responsible for bringing Sheikh Hasina back to the country and installing at the helm of Awami League. But he was repaid by being dropped like a hot potato from the party. He then formed Gono Forum, which is more or less inactive in politics. Always upholding democracy, Dr. Kamal Hossain has never won an election. He pins his hopes on a national government and worked tirelessly to this end during the 1/11 government. But it was in vain. Once he saw Fakhruddin Ahmed's government wasn't fulfilling his aspirations, he turned critical against them too. Though Gono Forum had originally joined the mahajote for the controversial January 22 election that was eventually not held, Awami League kept him at arm's length at the December 29 election of 2008.
Present status: Can stage a comeback. He turned silent when the present government came to power. However, he has the propensity to turn up from time to time and a comeback can't be ruled out. Age, though, is not on his side.
Champions of the civil society
Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman
Executive President of the non-government think-tank PPRC, this personable economist played a significant role in shaping the PSRP during the four-party alliance government. After 1/11 he became Advisor, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Industries. He was also the government's spokesman. Despite being a prominent and expert economist, this was not reflected in his handling of the ministries. He was criticised for speaking too much in the media.
Present status: On the back-burner. Returning to his PPRC, Dr. Hossain Zillur has plummeted from the limelight to virtual silence and invisibility. He is maintaining a low profile.
Barrister Mainul Hosein
Mainul Hosein has given up his seat in parliament, protesting against the formation of BKSAL. While Chairman of Ittefaq, he became Advisor of the caretaker government's Information and Law Ministries. In power, he was arrogant and high-handed and was ready to belittle politicians at the slightest chance. He is given 'credit' for the demolition of the Rangs Bhaban. He had to leave the caretaker cabinet in the face of controversy. It is alleged that he tried to take over full authority of Ittefaq.
Present status: On the backburner. He may be maintaining a low profile, but his family clout will keep him running.
Maj. Gen. Syed Muhammed Ibrahim (retd)
With a brilliant career in the army, Maj. Gen. Ibrahim had to retire early from the army following accusations of involvement in an aborted coup of Gen. Nasim on May 20, 1996. He then gained prominence as a columnist and later as a vociferous talk show personality. He is said to have been a supporter of the 1/11 caretaker government. He entered politics with the forming of Kalyan Party. The party faced utter defeat in the election and this dealt a blow to his image.
Present status: Exhausted. He still appears in talk shows from time to time and intermittently writes columns, but has lost political credibility.
Dr. Debapriya Bhattacharya
Son of Justice Debesh Bhattacharya, Dr. Debapriya Bhattacharya did his higher studies in Russia and has a Russian wife. He was Executive Director of CPD. About a year or so before 1/11, Debapriya and CPD ran a countrywide campaign for 'honest and capable candidates' in the election. Many people point to its similarity with the caretaker government's drive. In fact, upon the inception of the caretaker government, Dr. Debapriya was 'rewarded' by a posting to Geneva.
Present status: Can stage a comeback. Back from Geneva, though he is relatively quiet at present, Dr. Debapriya is likely to become active again and has considerable western support. If politics takes a turn with reforms in the forefront, he may well be in the limelight.
In reserve
Back and forth from the spotlight to the shadows, certain leaders, both political and of the civil society, may well be waiting in the wings, in reserve for changed times.
Dr. Muhammed Yunus
Banker of the poor and founder of Grameen Bank, Dr. Muhammed Yunus has wide recognition at home and abroad. He won the Nobel Prize for Peace, which brought him accolade galore. But the accolades soon turned to censure when he decided to form a political party. However, he was quick to realize the time was not right and nipped his political dabbling in the bud.
Present status: In reserve. While not in the forefront, the shadow of Dr. Yunus always lurks around the corner, ready to materialise in the event of a changed national scenario. He is often considered the trump card in case of unmanageable political instability in the country. And he has the blessings of the western world.
Sajeeb Wazed Joy
Son and Advisor of Awami league President Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Sajeeb Wazed Joy is a graduate in computer science. An expatriate Bangladeshi, Joy is married to an American. He works for the party from abroad. Before the last election, he played a pivotal role in candidate nominations and decision making in the party. He has contact with various think-tanks in the US.
Whatever may be said against dynastic politics, it seems that Joy is the one to take the helm of Awami League in future. He is being groomed accordingly.
Tareq Rahman
Elder son of late President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, Tareq Rahman proved himself to be wily politician. His organisational skills led to BNP's landslide victory in 2001. This won him significant goodwill in BNP and all over the country. However, certain dishonest persons around him proved to be his Achilles' heel and after 1/11 he was arrested. It is said he was tortured brutally in a blatant violation of human rights. Having been granted bail in several cases, Tareq Rahman is now undergoing medical treatment in London.
The cases against him are proving to be weak and may not be able to stand under legal procedure. However, the present government may target him as their political opponent.
Present status: In reserve. Though inactive at the moment, in absence of Begum Khaleda Zia from politics, Tareq Rahman may be the next dynamic leader to take control of BNP, that is the nationalist trend of politics in the country.
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