Political problems are one of the main problems in Bangladesh. Political problems include holding power by hook or by crook, the manipulation of elections, cadre politics and the intention to demolish opposition parties. It is — consequently — related to many other problems including, but not limited to, corruption, the mismanagement of resources, party-based recruitment, the politicization of government institutions and extortion, leading to concerns. To be fair, diverse political problems are not created by any single political party rather many parties have contributed to such problems somehow. Hopefully saying, there are various ways to address various political problems and the culture of politics of Bangladesh. Among steps, reducing the number of committees and leaders may be a good step.
It is notable that there are dozens of committees of political parties and associated organizations including the Central committee, Women’s committee, Youth committee, Worker committee and Student committee and, moreover, they exist in almost all lower levels including the Union and Ward levels. Tens of thousands of leaders, who illegally grab lands, nourish cadre politics and act as almost a de facto alternative government (when in power), from the top to the grassroots cannot be reasonable in Bangladesh, which became independent in 1971. The more the number of leaders, the less space there is for general people. Reducing the number of committees and leaders will improve political culture through reducing cadre politics and political rivalries and provide more space for the general public including brilliants at different levels.
Diverse sorts of committees of political parties (including the Central committee, Women’s committee and Youth committee) are needed at the central, divisional and, even, district levels since they can raise the concerns of respective groups of people of a larger area. While unnecessary committees may be reduced at these levels, emphasis needs to be given to reducing the number of committees and leaders at the lower levels including the Ward level in the City Corporations and the Sub-district or Upazila level. A few representatives from lower levels such as the Union and Ward levels to the Sub-district central committee(s) — instead of committees at the lower levels — will reduce cadre politics and political conflicts and improve the political culture.
Student politics may not be harmful altogether. Students can raise the concerns of students and may be national leaders in the future. Despite the good tradition of student politics in the pre-independence era, the current student politics of Bangladesh is marred by cadre politics that neither brings good outcomes for students and educational institutes nor produces good leaders at the national level rather destroys educational institutes, hinders education of general students, represses general students and brings other negative outcomes. But a reduced number of student committees with the permanent dissolution of, at least, Hall student committees, Union-level student committees and Ward-level student committees will improve the politics.
It is desired that steps be taken to address political problems. The interim government of Bangladesh, formed after the ouster of the Awami League government through the student-led mass uprisings in early August, can play a vital role in making some reforms in terms of reducing the number of excessive committees and leaders. But the cooperation of the political parties and their commitment to reforming politics for the better political culture of Bangladesh are needed — definitely. Among others, government services at the local level need to be strengthened and improved.
Amir M Sayem
Chief Editor
Dhaka Opinion Magazine
