Conflict between the two major political parties has become a major stumbling block in delivering good governance in the country, said speakers at a seminar organised by Sushashoner Jonno Procharabhijan (Supro), an alliance of non-government and civil society organisations at the grass-roots level. They added that various civil society organisations should play a more effective role in creating awareness about ongoing irregularities in different government departments.
Supro had organised the discussion, to mark its 10th founding anniversary, at the LGED-RDEC Bhaban in Dhaka.
Executive director of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), Dr Iftekharuzzaman, said the two major political parties always want to win, by hook, or by crook. This leads to political conflicts, resulting in Parliament boycotts, he added.
He also said that 74 per cent of the present parliamentary session went on in the absence of the main opposition.
“We’ve developed necessary infrastructure for the development of democracy. But, the practice of democracy has not lived up to our expectations, due to palpable lack of patience and non-comprising attitude of political parties,” he said.
“Politics has become a business in the country. Almost 60 per cent members of the present Parliament are from the business community,” he observed.
“People from any profession can join politics. But, if anyone uses politics to promote their business interests, it would never produce desired results ,” he added.
Regarding the government’s attitude, he said that it should learn to tolerate criticism.
Awami League leader Mahmudur Rahman Manna said that the conflict between two major parties in Bangladesh often creates serious political problems.
“Leaders of these two parties are always busy opposing each other. Such conflicts do not help the country,” he remarked.
“We have made much progress in the last 40 years, but in comparison with other countries, the situation remains far from satisfactory,” he added.
Regarding the role of civil society organisations, Manna said that they can play an important role in establishing good governance.
Such organisations should carry out investigations into all government activities, including the Padma Bridge issue, he added.
People’s lack of confidence in political leadership, is a great problem for the country, said Dr Badiul Alam Majumder, secretary of Sushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Sujon).
“People have become frustrated. They’ve lost their confidence in political parties and their leaders,” he noted.
Political parties are acting as business syndicates,
and civil society organisations should create awareness about the activities of political parties and business organisations, he added.
Dr Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad, chairman of Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF), said that all developmental work should be carried through political processes, ensuring people’s rights and dignity.
Speaking as the chief guest, he said: “Non-government organisations (NGOs) must be active in establishing good governance and help develop the country.
But, true development should be an outcome of the political process,” he said.
If the country’s political situation fails to ensure such development, people should raise their voice against it, he said. He added that any development should aim to consolidate people’s right and dignity.
“Despite significant progresses in many areas, in the last 40 years, we see a widening difference between rich and poor. This gap must be bridged, to achieve real development,” he said.
Stressing the need for an education act, Dr Ahmad said the country’s development is not possible, without education.
“If we’re able to educate people, they’ll manage to go forward. We need an education act for this,” he remarked.
The draft for such an act has already been prepared, to ensure children’s right to education, he added.
He also expressed deep concerns over fast commercialisaiton of the country’s education system.
However, he also expressed his disappointment over the present state of the healthcare sector in rural areas. “A number of health complexes and hospitals have sprung up in the country. But, health service has become deplorable in rural areas,” he added.
Supro chairperson Abdul Awal presided over the programme. Faizur Rahman Fakir, Uma Chowdhury and Tahmina Rahman, also spoke on the occasion.
Courtesy of The Independent
