A former president responds...
First of all, accept my sincere thanks and New Year's greetings to your distinguished readers. On a personal note, I have always stamped my heartiest admiration for your esteemed daily that complements my daily schedule. Of course, your thoughtful comments sometimes spark my curiosity, and a little dismay, which never down-rated my trust in the freedom of the press. Today, I am reflecting my note of disappointment on a post-editorial penned by a true gentleman and journalist par excellence, Syed Badrul Ahsan, on 4 January 2012.
He made some very interesting observations about me and my administration which is commendable and forthright. Mr Editor, may I revisit the comment? I quote from Syed Badrul Ahsan… “He is one of the few military dictators to have survived a big fall and live to fight another day. That should not have been the case.” He went on: “by any measure of political logic, he ought to have gone for retirement.”
Now, my good friend aptly tagged it with the tenure of Field Marshal Ayub Khan. Yes, President Ayub Khan retired under political duress at that time. But he (President Ayub Khan) handed over power to the institution he had proudly served and admired. Mine was totally different. Yes, the political scenario may have been similar, but my stance taken then was democratic, legal and acceptable to all major political parties.
I handed over power to a civilian administration, headed by a former Chief Justice, appointed by me and acceptable to all. I did not (like President Ayub Khan) hand power to the institution that I have served as army chief. I hope this will dispel the misunderstanding of Syed Badrul Ahsan, and of many of his loyal readers. My resignation was democratic and not autocratic.
By the grace of God, I am fortunate like my distinguished friends in politics to serve our motherland, to the best of my ability. I do admire democracy to be at the forefront of nurturing people's voice in the interest of people's power. I am happy that they have inspired me in exercising and practising democracy, even in a state of political turmoil and transition.
Great leaders like Bangabandhu, Shere Bangla AK Fazlul Huq, Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy and Maulana Bhashani lighted my path in rekindling trust and confidence in the grand pulpit of democracy. Throughout my life I have learned the traits of being earnest --- in respecting my friends and foes and giving due respect to the noble value of politeness.
I thank you for your kind and warm compliment, defining me as a power player in our realm of politics. To cite an example, in 1984, in the thick of political ramifications, I as president personally took the direct initiative of bringing the two major political parties to a process of participating in the election and taking over the responsibility of running the country.
Unfortunately, I failed and I still regret that, and I blame myself. Had it been otherwise, a new vista in politics could have been opened, democracy could have been secured, the army and bureaucracy would have retained their sacred vow to serve the people and salute democracy even in political transition. I respect the lengthy comment on my role in the past as a key balancing factor between the two major parties. My distinguished friend, Syed Badrul Ahsan, noted a hypothetical conjuration, and I quote him: “You tend to ask yourself a simple question: What if General Ershad, having seized power in 1982, decided to hand the country back to the politicians without himself getting involved in political games…?" It sounds very idealistic in an ideal world but not in politics because I tried to hand over the reins of the government to a political party.
Syed Badrul Ahsan, you made me humble by your punch line and I quote (readers, please note...): "Having been a kingmaker all these years, he yearns to be king." This is a classic case drawing an analogy from cricket: the reverse stroke. I am neither a king nor a Machiavellian Rasputin; I was a soldier who vowed to defend my motherland, had to respond to a crucial time (1982) backed by the wishes of the people. I was triggered to the centre stage of power and politics, supported by an elite corps of politicians, business leaders, social activists. You know the rest of the story. In retrospect, I wish it had been different; I wish it had not been a set minefield of political conjuration and macabre greed for power. Honestly, we are all responsible.
The fate of this nation shines in democracy and people's power. I believe it will remain so. Finally, I once again commend you for inking your thoughts in a classical style, tinged with literary grace, as you and I pause to salute democracy and our beloved motherland. Thank you for your forbearance, for a note that humbled me enough to be your lasting friend and, if necessary, to play a 'balancing act' for the sake of democracy and for the people I love and respect.
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