Task ahead
It's new in Bangladesh. In 2001, it was perhaps an anti-incumbency vote for the Awami League, though there is ample evidence available now with the Election Commission database that the 2001 elections might have been rigged. However, this time it is a positive vote. Despite all attempts by the BNP and the Jamaat to wipe out the Awami league during their coalition rule, the later emerged as the single largest party. Maybe many will try to take credit for the large turnout of voters, but this time it is due to our resilience, and to our younger and women voters.
Tasks ahead for the winners? First thing first, they will have to deliver good governance. Apart from addressing the issues of food prices, power, education and employment for the poor, they will have to address the larger political issues of pledges. But it's premature to get into those specifics at this point of time. We have to see whether the religion-based politics is under control or not. I think, they are not dead, but certainly weakened. They are, perhaps, at their lowest ebb point. Now their relevance would depend as to what role the new AL-led alliance-elect and they would play. The losers should realise that the people are fed up with their backward-looking behaviour and politics of vengeance blended with corruption and conspiracies.
Now people like to see that the new government will not only be a two-party affair. They should believe in building bridges. Their task is to build bridges of relationship and trust. It is not necessary that if something went wrong in the past that would be repeated again. There is a generational shift. The winners should work with the likes of all; they must keep all channels of communication open. That would work. We need peace, progress and development. This is not an easy task, but it is a golden opportunity for us again to deliver. This government should be representative of all regions, peoples of all age groups, parties, and interests.
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