There is no alternative to an elected government for economic progress

Under the leadership of Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the primary task of the interim government is to steer the country back to a truly democratic system through proper democratic procedures. The expectation and aspiration of the people is to be able to elect a government of their choice through the exercise of their voting rights. There is no room for deception in this process. The recent mass movement began over the demand for reforming the quota system in government jobs, but it eventually evolved into a movement for toppling the government. At the heart of the movement lies one core demand: democracy, democracy, and democracy.

Some quarters have raised issues such as delaying the national election, extending the interim government’s tenure to five years, or forming a national government. These are nothing but attempts to push the country towards disaster. Such maneuvers will never resolve the political crisis. There is no need for such scheming or tactics regarding the timely holding of national elections. On the contrary, they will only deepen the crisis. These political games will yield nothing. The key responsibility of the interim government is to hold a free and credible election and hand over power to a political government before stepping aside.

It is crucial to bring in an elected government immediately. Without a regular government, the ongoing problems cannot be addressed effectively. Whether it is national or international issues, there is no substitute for an elected government to solve them. Improvement in law and order and attracting foreign investment are also highly dependent on an elected government. Foreign investors want to see continuity and stability in governance, which cannot be ensured without an elected government. Public safety and security are deteriorating. Killings are occurring in different parts of the country. It is unlikely that law and order will improve without an elected government. Extortion and land grabbing are rampant in many areas. The faces of extortionists may have changed, but the crime itself continues. A mob culture is developing as part of political agendas. In some places, teenage gangs are becoming more active. Criminal elements are infiltrating political parties in various ways.

Social criminals are now more active than ever. Although an "Operation Devil Hunt" is underway, the situation is not showing any promising improvement. It seems unlikely that the interim government can effectively manage this situation. Many have alleged that the interim government wants to maintain an atmosphere of fear in the country. Under its patronage, a new political party called the National Citizen Party has been formed. If instability continues, it may create a window for this newly formed party to establish itself. Members from the Awami League, BNP, and other major parties could be lured into this party. We have seen this trend in the past. When a political party is created from power, opportunists from other parties tend to join it. Personally, I do not believe the interim government has such intentions. But it must prove that it has no hidden agenda. Otherwise, the hopes and expectations that have emerged through the mass movement will inevitably be frustrated.

People want a liberal democracy to be established through a free and fair election. Their demand for democracy is not new; since the time of Pakistan, the people have longed for a liberal democratic system based on mass participation. Sadly, that aspiration remains unfulfilled. It cannot be achieved through a national or alternative government. A genuine democratic government must be formed through an election with the broad participation of the people.

The current political crisis is a result of political parties trampling on public expectations in their quest to monopolize power. This must change. Bangladesh took part in the Liberation War to achieve two primary goals: one was to establish a democratic government through majority voting, and the other was to build a just society by eradicating economic inequality. Yet, 54 years after independence, these goals remain unfulfilled. We are still fighting for democracy and economic justice. Economic disparity in the country has reached alarming levels. The top 5% of the population now control most of the country's wealth, while the remaining 95% are marginalized and deprived of their rightful share. The gap between the rich and the poor continues to widen.

Students in the recent movement demanded reform of the quota system in government jobs for descendants of freedom fighters. But inequality exists in many other areas of society. These disparities must also be addressed. Unless people’s legitimate rights are ensured across all sectors, no real change will come. The core issues of inequality are political, economic, and social. To eliminate these, a truly liberal democratic government must be established—one that will undertake programs to address existing injustices.

We are not against reform. Reform is an ongoing process and it should continue. Even after an elected political government assumes power, reforms can and should continue. The interim government's responsibility is to carry out only the most urgent reforms necessary to ensure a fair and credible election. Broader reforms can begin afterward and be carried forward by the elected government. But reform should never be used as an excuse to delay the election. Doing so would push the country into deeper crisis.

The interim government has stated that the 13th parliamentary election will be held either by December this year or by June next year. If only minimal reforms are undertaken, the election will be held by December; if broader reforms are pursued, the election will take place by June. Since the interim government’s main duty is to transfer power to an elected political government, it is essential to announce an election roadmap without delay. A specific date for the election must also be declared. Creating confusion around the election is neither right nor acceptable. If the interim government can successfully return the country to a democratic process through a credible election, only then can the nation escape chaos. There is no alternative to an elected government for improving law and order and achieving economic progress. This reality must be acknowledged by all.

Without a regular government, the independence and sovereignty of the country cannot be protected. We are witnessing various internal and external activities that can only be dealt with properly by an elected government. The interim government, after all, is not an elected body. Numerous rumors are circulating. Some coordinators of the movement are allegedly in talks with the military. There are conspiracies, both domestic and international, to destabilize the country. To confront these challenges, there is no alternative to an elected government.

After August 5, some political actors have been enjoying the perks of power without actually holding office. They are influencing appointments and transfers, even snatching accused individuals from police custody. Previously, one group of extortionists was active; now a different group has taken over. This situation cannot continue. It will persist until a political government takes charge. If an elected government does not assume office soon, the current state of affairs will only drag on.

Mohammad Shah Alam is President of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB).
Transcribed by: M. A. Khaleque