In the same boat, with frustration
Ignored AL partners unwilling to share AL's failures
Shakhawat Liton and Rashidul Hasan Upset at the Awami League's
unilateral decisions on crucial issues, the other components of the
AL-led ruling alliance are unwilling to take the blame for the
government's failure on different fronts.
Senior leaders of the other components have already started
criticising the government for its controversial decisions and failure
in tackling some issues. The government may face more flak from them
in the coming days if the ruling party does not change its attitude,
say the leaders.
The picture at the grassroots level is grimmer than that in the
centre. Grassroots leaders of the combine's key components -- Jatiya
Party, Workers Party and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal -- are irate over
what they say is big-brother attitude of local AL leaders.
Leaders of the components are now having discussions to find ways to
overcome the situation.
Talking to The Daily Star, they observed that the situation would have
been different had the AL worked together with its partners.
Jatiya Party and Workers Party recently held meetings to discuss the
overall situation and find ways to lessen grievances of their
grassroots leaders. Both the parties will sit soon to discuss the
issue, said sources.
Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal leaders said they would soon have discussions
on the issue.
"Awami League is running the government on its own though the
government was formed following the grand alliance's landslide victory
in the last parliamentary polls," said Jatiya Party Chairman HM
Ershad.
"Since we are in the alliance, we cannot avoid the responsibility for
the government's failure. We are criticising the government for its
failure and controversial activities and will continue to do so to
keep our stance clear to people."
Ershad said his party had decided to quit the grand alliance and
contest the next parliamentary polls on its own. "But we are yet to
decide on a date for quitting the alliance."
Jatiya Party Secretary General Ruhul Amin Hawlader said, "We will soon
hold a joint meeting of the party's senior and grassroots leaders to
work out ways to address the issue of local AL leaders' big-brother
attitude."
Before the 2008 parliamentary polls, the AL-led grand alliance pledged
to work in unison for good governance and a strong democracy. But
since the government's formation on January 6, 2009, Awami League has
seldom consulted with its partners before making any decision.
Top alliance leaders sat together occasionally and discussed very
little in the last three-odd years. The combine has so far largely
failed to monitor whether the cabinet is functioning in conformity
with its electoral pledges.
AL Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif, however, claims it is
the grand alliance, not the AL, which is running the government.
He said a Jatiya Party leader is in the cabinet. Besides, the chiefs
of Workers Party and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal were made chairmen of two
parliamentary standing committees. They can put forward suggestions to
the government through the committees.
"The government is run in consultation with all," said Hanif, also
special assistant to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
It would be improper if any alliance member adopts a political
strategy to shirk the responsibility for the government's actions, he
said.
Hanif said the component leaders might not have been informed about
some matters. "But senior leaders of the alliance can discuss all
issues at the combine's meeting."
He, however, did not specify any date for the next alliance meeting.
Workers Party Chief Rashed Khan Menon said the AL did not discuss with
its partners crucial issues like the opposition's agitations and the
disappearance of BNP leader Ilias Ali.
"Awami League's go-alone policy will not bring any good. We will speak
about it in alliance meetings," Menon said.
He said the government can at least inform the alliance components
about its activities. "Why will we take responsibilities for the
things we are not aware of?" asked Menon.
Shah Jikrul Ahmed, lawmaker of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, said they
cannot take the blame for the government's failure to check secret
killings and forced disappearances, since the ruling party never
consults with its partners on how to deal with the issues.
He said a liaison committee headed by Deputy Leader of the House Syeda
Sajeda Chowdhury was formed to strengthen ties between the AL and the
other components. "But not a single meeting was held since its
formation several months ago," Jikrul said.
"We will sit soon and ask senior Awami League leaders to hold a
meeting of the alliance soon."
Workers Party lawmaker Fazle Hossain Badsha said the AL runs the
government on its own. "So, why should we take the responsibility for
the government's failure?" he asked.
Badsha said his party's grassroots leaders cannot work freely for
local AL leaders' undue interference in all matters. "It shows that
the components of the grand alliance cannot work together. It is a
major failure."
Jatiya Party lawmaker Hafizuddin Ahmed echoed Badsha's view.
http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=234619
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