PM hires 'reformists' to challenge critics within
Faruque Ahmed
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has inducted Suranjit Sen Gupta MP and
Obaidul Quader MP in her cabinet as full ministers and elevated Dr
Hasan Mahmood making him a full cabinet minister. Observers feel there
is nothing extraordinary about this and is a normal practice in a
democracy.
But what appears exceptional in this case is the selection of two
outspoken parliamentarians who were identified as 'reformists' and
were accused of joining hand with the last military-backed caretaker
government that tried to oust Sheikh Hasina from the party leadership.
It is said that Hasina never forgets her enemies and the induction of
the two in her cabinet prompted many to suggest that this actually may
not be the case. But the question is why she did not include them in
the cabinet when she had formed the government.
The Prime Minister rather inducted all junior party leaders into the
cabinet leaving aside the senior leaders like party heavyweight Tofail
Ahmed or Amir Hossain Amu who also came out in open revolt against her
leadership.
Now she has not only inducted Suranjit Sen Gupta or Obaidul Quader
have been taken in the cabinet, news reports said once disgraced
Tofail Ahmed and Amir Hossain Amu may also be accommodated soon.In
fact the name of Tofail Ahmed was on the TV scroll throughout the day
last week when the news broke about the cabinet expansion.
Speculations were abound when Tofail Ahmed was not seen at the oath
taking.
Peace with the rebels
Observers feel that Prime Minister Sheikh Hssina has decided to make
peace with the rebels within the party to fight the enemies outside.
More clearly, as the challenge from the major opposition BNP and the
broadly cobbled right wing alliance is becoming a threat, she may have
taken the right decision to identify which one is the lesser evil —-
the opposition or the reformists within the party.
From this perception, some news reports said the induction of Tofail
Ahmed or Amir Hossain Amu into the cabinet may take place any time
soon. But critics have raised yet another question whether Sheikh
Hasina may really forgive them.
Sheikh Hasina has taken a big decision. This is no time to keep the
party heavyweight sitting when Begum Khaleda Zia is taking out road
marches all over the country in her resolve to tear apart the
government.
Challenges on all fronts
There are challenges on almost every front. The war crime trial is
facing criticism from home and abroad. If Hasina cannot bring it to a
successful end, the historic liability will fall on her shoulder.
The economy is nose-diving. Soaring prices of essentials and price
hike of fuel, gas and electricity have already made the government
unpopular. Implementation of development projects, especially major
infrastructure projects like constructing Padma bridge or metro
railway is nowhere in sight.
Government borrowing is only soaring as the development assistance
from donors is on steady fall. The caretaker government issue is
agitating the opposition following its scrapping from the constitution
by the government. Intra-party fighting in Awami League like killing
of Narshingdi mayor Lokman Hossain or nominating Shamim instead of Dr.
Ivy as mayoral candidate for Narayanganj City Corporation election has
added new dimension to infightings.
Tipaimukh dam which India is unilaterally building ignoring Bangladesh
interest or transit to India are adding new tensions. Begum Khaleda
Zia has given a call for mass upsurge to save the country's
independence and sovereignty and there are growing pressures on all
fronts. This is not time for Sheikh Hasina to keep the party
heavyweights idle. Thus the change in Sheikh Hasina's mindset is
clear, to field them in facing these challenges. But will this work?
It is the biggest question, critics say, pointing out that she may
have been already late.
Losing ground
The country's political landscape is fast changing where the
government is losing ground it had held in the past. So the question
is whether these heavyweights have any magic in hand to reverse the
trend overnight.
Pointing to enlargement of the cabinet, a political analyst referred
to a write-up by veteran journalist, S M Ali, who had said that all
falling dictators "leave behind a doomsday scenario". What Ali wrote
was a very wise counsel. At a time when the counsel was leaving the
country the ruler sought his advice as to how to run the country if he
faces any big trouble.
The wise man gave him three envelops marked 1, 2 and 3 on them. "In
case of trouble open the number one envelop first and then the others
gradually. They will tell you what to do."
So when the ruler was facing the first big problem, he opened the
first envelop and got the advice, "Hire some new ministers, give the
people the impression that you are bringing new blood in an otherwise
worn-out, tired, demoralised administration."
Afterwards troubles again erupted. He then opened the second envelop
with the instruction: "Sack some ministers to give the public the
impression that you are removing the corrupt, inefficient ministers.
They are the people to blame for the crisis." He did it and won some
time.
Now when he faced yet another bigger trouble, the ruler opened the
third envelop, and ironically found something written which he had
never thought of. It said: "It is high time for you to quit".
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