A grand opportunity
The caretaker government has delivered what they came to do almost two years ago. One must congratulate the CTG, the Election Commission and, last but not least, the Army. They worked together and with each other to make the voter list, the national ID card and ultimately gave us one of the finest elections which was conducted not only peacefully but with an overwhelming participation from all. It was a long wait for almost two years but they did manage to give an election that might create yet another milestone for Bangladesh. When the present caretaker government took over with the backing of the military they had an overwhelming support but as the time was passing the people seem to have been getting tired and restless. But at last they regained the confidence with the just completed election.
The uniqueness of this election is the number of new young voters, almost 30%, and the number of women voters. Not only they have been enrolled in the list but went to the polling booth to exercise their franchise by voting for the candidate of their choice. One thing that has come out very clear and distinct is that the people want trial of the 1971 war criminals and the collaborators (Razakars, Al Badr and Al Shams) of the Pakistan military. This they have made very clear by routing out not only those suspected individuals but also the party that has become identified with those elements. They have also given a clear signal that they won't tolerate corrupt convicted politicians.
The people have spoken and now it's the responsibility of the winning party to stand up to the hour of need. The nation has given them the mandate to take care of the awful past when in 1971 almost 3 million of our brothers and sisters were brutally killed, but those responsible could never be brought to justice. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman began the process but couldn't complete it as he was brutally assassinated. We expect the new government, to be led by his daughter Sheikh Hasina, to complete the task and lead us out of that dark past.
The elected government has got the mandate to bring about a change, but they alone can never do it. It's the people who must be taken into confidence and together we can march forward to build the Sonar Bangla our freedom fighters fought for. This is not a myth or mirage because we can build the Sonar Bangla if we put our mind into it. Let us forget greed, hatred and back biting. Let us commit ourselves to nation building and muktijuddher chetona.
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