‘Political Blunder’

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina went to New York to join the United Nations General Assembly with a large delegation comprising of 185 members, probably the largest ever since the country's independence. In contrast, Narendra Modi, prime minister of India, the world's largest democracy, went to New York with an unusually small team. Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was accompanied by a 14-member delegation. Yet Sharif came under criticism as the cost of his visit was around $ 4 lakh. Nepal Prime Minister Sushil Koirala led a 15-member delegation at the general assembly.

The abnormal size of Hasina's delegation has triggered criticism in the country. It is quite certain that she will not be held accountable for wasting public money. In the parliamentary democracy, the parliament is supposed to hold her accountable for leading such a delegation. But the current parliament is completely unable to do so. The main opposition Jatiya Party MPs might not be able to criticise Hasina, also leader of the House, as they are the handmaiden main opposition in the current parliament.

On the contrary, there is every possibility the premier will be showered with praise by the MPs regardless of their party affiliation, showing how the premier stays above the fundamental principles of the parliamentary democracy and enjoys immunity. Such a situation may make anybody arrogant and his/her leadership is risky for the party in power and the country as well. If a leader enjoys such huge powers, s/he may appear to be arrogant.

While responding to journalists' queries regarding to holding talks with the BNP and midterm election, she replied in a rather aggressive tone, “Why should there be a midterm election? What are the problems (in the country) for which we should go for a midterm election and for whom would the midterm election be held? Is it to put the party in power that was created by usurper Ziaur Rahman?”

Talking about holding a dialogue with the BNP, Hasina said that she had nothing to do for the party which is outside parliament. “What's dialogue? With whom?” she asked. When a reporter pointed to dialogue with the opposition party, she questioned about the definition of opposition party in a parliamentary democracy. “Opposition party! Which one is the opposition party? What does it mean by opposition party in a parliamentary democracy?” she asked.

Everybody knows that the January 5 election was flawed. Yet, the premier now does not see anything wrong in it.
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who was the supreme leader of the newly independent country, had fought for democracy. But suddenly he opted for a one-party rule by abolishing all political parties in 1975, which was considered his biggest political mistake.

In Hasina's view, the BNP has made "a grave mistake" by boycotting the January 5 parliamentary election and the party leaders have realised it. She also says that the BNP leaders are now saying many things to justify their election boycott. “If a political leadership takes a wrong decision, that leadership has to pay a heavy price for the blunder,” she said.

But the crucial question that remains is: Which one is a mistake in democracy: holding a one-sided election or boycotting it?

The writer is Senior Reporter, The Daily Star.