| Importance of Hasina's victory Sreeradha Datta Not just the international community, but even Bangladeshis were stunned by the victory margin of Awami leader Sheikh Hasina in the ninth Jatiya Sangsad (national parliament) elections of December 29. This is the biggest win for any political party in the annals of Bangladeshi elections. On its own the Awami League won 231 seats, with its allies securing 31. So the Awami League got a three-fourths majority the Grand Alliance secured more than four-fifth of the seats in the 300-member parliament. The performance of the Jatiya Party of former military dictator General Mohammed Ershad was equally surprising. Despite corruption charges and family squabbles, he retained his popularity in his home district of Rajshahi. Of the 48 seats it contested Jatiya Party won 27. For the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) this was its worst performance since its formation in 1975. Deep seated internal differences, family control over the party and rampant corruption among the rank and file have alienated vast segments of the population. Even the army, often seen as the major pillar of support, was disenchanted with the leadership, especially former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. Even though the caretaker government could not prove the corruption charges against Khaleda, the ostentatious lifestyle of the leaders, especially her sons, Tariq and Koko, became a public eyesore. The coveted prize for the worst performance however goes to the erstwhile Jama'at or Jama'at Islami Bangladesh as it is now called. The party was almost wiped out, winning only two seats. Top leaders were forced to bite dust. The defeat has been the most visible outcome of the 2008 elections. Many informed observers view this development as a sign of victory for the secular fabric of Bangladesh. It is however, possible to argue that the defeat of the Jama'at was a result of its alliance with Khaleda. If so, it is a just a setback. But the Jama'at will have to do some soul searching. Despite its brave efforts it could not mount a serious challenge to the popular feeling against 'war collaborators'. The public anger against the Islamists for their pro-Pakistan stand during the Liberation War was a major issue during the elections. The failure of the Jama'at leaders to express any public remorse for their role proved costly. To make matters worse, some Jama'at leaders argued that but for the two-nation theory and the formation of Pakistan in 1947, Bangladesh would not have emerged. During the run up to the elections, some party leaders said 1971 was not a liberation war but a civil war within Pakistan. For those who shed blood for Bangladesh, such a position was both insensitive and insulting. Moreover, the Jama'at and its extremist ideology are seen as responsible for the growth of Islamic extremism and terrorism in Bangladesh. A number of members of the Jagrata Muslim Janata Bangladesh (JMJB) were convicted for involvement in terrorism. Though no Jama'at member was accused of terrorism, many hold the party responsible for the growth of religious extremism and political intolerance. The elections were unique in more than one way. Sheikh Hasina, upon assuming office as Prime Minister, extended an olive branch to her long-time rival Khaleda and promised to take the opposition into confidence on crucial issues affecting Bangladesh. Setting aside her initial reservations over the fairness of the elections, Khaleda has come around to recognising the need of the hour. Should this truce continue internal tensions would be a thing of the past. If political differences are confined to the Jatiya Sangsad, the hartal politics would also lose its relevance. Hasina's colossal victory comes with monumental challenges. The political landscape of the country has changed dramatically since Khaleda demitted office in October 2006. The caretaker government, especially under Fakhruddin Ahmed, brought in far reaching changes. First and foremost, it conducted a free, fair and violence-free election. Moreover, it introduced significant political and electoral reforms, initiated large-scale measures against corruption and delinked the judiciary from the control of the executive. Its demands for internal democracy forced political parties to change their constitution and restrict the powers of their authoritarian leaders. The Jama'at was even forced to rename itself as Jama'at Islami Bangladesh and to open its membership to non-Muslims. The most serious test of the new government would be its political direction. Will it continue and strengthen these measures and establish political accountability in Bangladesh? Hasina has the mandate to reform the system. Some of the initial measures indicate that she is planning to continue with political reforms. With 16 women MPs the ninth Jatiya Sangsad has the largest number women in the history of Bangladesh. Partly reflecting this reality Hasina has appointed, for the first time, four women in the cabinet including Dipu Moni, her personal physician, as the foreign minister. Likewise in a major departure from the erstwhile practices of previous governments, Hasina has appointed three minority members as cabinet ministers. In an effort to shore up the party popularity among the youth, Hasina's cabinet has a number of new faces. In the process she has craftily sidelined the old warhorses. Likewise, overlooking Ershad's ambitions, Hasina has nominated Zillur Rahman for presidency. A former member of the Awami League who held on to the reins of the party during Hasina's recent confinement he enjoys widespread acceptance. For India, the election is, by all counts, a welcome development. At one level, it ended the uncertainties in Bangladesh and restored democratic politics. At another level, the victory of the Awami League should enable India to seriously engage with Bangladesh. This is essential if India is to resolve some of its differences and difficulties with Dhaka. There may be no solution to problems such as illegal migration or insurgents. But a serious and sustained engagement, especially economic interactions, should dominate India's response to the spectacular victory of Hasina. Neither side can afford to slip into erstwhile indifference. (Sreeradha Datta (PhD) is research fellow at the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, New Delhi. E-mail: sreeradha@yahoo.com) http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Importance+of+Hasina%E2%80 99s+victory&artid=9WH20MMNdco=&SectionID=XVSZ2Fy6Gzo=&MainSectionID=XVSZ2 Fy6Gzo=&SectionName=m3GntEw72ik= |
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