Don’t worry, Sheikh Hasina is there

This time people's Eid pilgrimage has been much more comfortable. There were no traffic jams on the highway. Homebound people did not have to suffer for hours in traffic jams. The train schedule was not disrupted. The story of human suffering on the waterways was not heard in the media. For so many years the government has worked tirelessly and uninterruptedly for highways, railways and shipping, and we are beginning to reap the rewards this Eid. But in this relief there are some small bubbles of discomfort. Two days before Eid (May 2), four people were killed in a clash between two groups of the Awami League in Kushtia. Several were injured. Abdur Rahman Badi, a well-known and criticized former MP of Awami League, beat up two leaders of Municipal Awami League in Teknaf of Cox's Bazar during Ramadan (April 22). Recently, a leader of a police station in south of Dhaka beat up Awami League workers. Awami League is now divided in almost every districts, police stations and villages. This division is now no longer at the stage of political debate. It is becoming increasingly violent. One side is being cruel and ruthless towards the other side. Lately, the incidents of violence between the two sides of the Awami League or its affiliated organizations somewhere in the country on every special day are tarnishing the image of the festival. Not only the Awami League, but also within the government the spirit of uncreatedness suddenly came to the fore. Sometimes, some people commits such acts, the responsibility of which rests on the 13-year-old Awami League. A few days ago, a heated situation was created with the Tentultala field of Kalabagan. The Prime Minister handled the situation when people were outraged by the unprecedented arrogance of some people in the government. Sheikh Hasina's voice and the voice of the people became one in defending the field. She rescued the Awami League and the government from possible civic criticism. In the last one era, Sheikh Hasina alone seems to be the savior of the party and the government. The wounds of the Awami League are not visible because she is there. The failures of the government are cut off for her.

Sheikh Hasina seems to be standing alone as a symbol of humanity, justice and public welfare. Others in the party and in the government do not have the ability and prudence to rise to that height. That's true. The main problem is that they are not even cooperating with the Prime Minister and the Awami League President in good deeds. Instead they themselves are causing such incidents that the party and the government are constantly in an embarrassing situation. The activities of Awami League and some people in the government are like wicked boys. They are like mud in all achievements. And Sheikh Hasina is cleaning everything. Everyone is as carefree as Surf Excel ads. "Don't worry, Sheikh Hasina is there." The situation is now such that most of the people inside the Awami League and the government seem to be carefree. They have no idea what will happen next. They have left the burden of all worries on Sheikh Hasina. I was talking to an Awami League minister. The Russia-Ukraine war could lead to a wheat-flour crisis ahead. We were talking about that issue. I asked, what you are thinking? He replied, "Brother, this is not a matter of my concern." Sheikh Hasina will manage everything. The United States continues to put pressure on Bangladesh. The US position on human rights, good governance, disappearances, digital security laws, etc. is now open. They have ruled out lifting the ban on current and former RAB officers. Why is the United States like that? Will the United States put more pressure in the coming days? Will the United States directly intervene in the next election? How will Bangladesh handle the pressure of the United States? Many such questions are now being asked in politics. If you ask any important person of Awami League or government, you will see that they are carefree. Not worried about anything at all. But why? The answer is very easy. That is Sheikh Hasina. I was talking to an Awami League leader that day. He was saying with quite confidence, ‘the leader will take care of everything like magic’. I said you are also a big leader of Awami League. Don't you have responsibilities? He went silent.

BNP has said they will protest after Eid. The BNP has also announced that it will not go to the polls without a non-partisan caretaker government. The next election is considered important for many reasons. Elections are almost two years away. Meanwhile, Bangladesh's development partners in the international arena are showing interest in Bangladesh's elections. Everyone says the next election must be participatory. Must be free, fair and neutral. Awami League leaders also admitted in private that the next election will be difficult. It will not be like 2014 or 2018. But how will the Awami League overcome this difficult and challenging election? No Awami League leader has the answer. As any leader would say in private, these are not our concerns. The leader will manage everything.

The conflict in the Awami League is growing. There are killings in different places. The chain of command of the team is broken. Grassroots leaders are criticizing central leaders. The sacrificed and the tested are cornered. The team is going to be occupied by hybrids and intruders. It is as if some leaders and activists have resorted to a suicidal game to destroy all the achievements of the Awami League. The division in the Union Parishad elections has spread to the grassroots. There is discussion in Awami League about all these but there is no concern. Why? Because, ‘Sheikh Hasina will take care of everything’. Any leader of the Awami League will say, Sheikh Hasina will immediately stop quarrels and internal strife. It is undeniable that the Awami League president is extremely popular in the party. All the leaders and workers of the party trust her. Obey her. But does that mean Sheikh Hasina will have to handle everything like that? Others will have no role, why is that?

It is true that the prime minister has to look after the basic policy matters of the state and the party. She is the head of the government and the party at the same time. But for her to be able to focus on policy-making and sensitive issues, the government and some of the parties have to take responsibility. They have to fulfill the responsibilities entrusted to them. It is not a good sign for anyone to look at Sheikh Hasina without fulfilling any responsibility. The Awami League has a strong central executive committee. There is a presidium. There is an editorial board. How many of them actually fulfills their responsibilities? Being a member of the presidium of the Awami League was a big deal once. Even when the Awami League was in the Opposition, if a Presidium member went to the area, he would get more respect than a Minister. But now the position of Presidium is considered as a consolation prize. They are very happy to become members of the presidium in a party like Awami League. But there is no urge to protect the dignity of the responsibility given to them. They are unable to repay the trust that the leader placed on them.

The situation is the same in the government. In 2009 and 2019, Sheikh Hasina surprise everyone by forming the cabinet. Many newcomers to the party and strangers in the country are given a chance to be included in the cabinet. But how many can swear that they have utilized this opportunity. How many of them have actually given their all for the country!

The Prime Minister has to decide on the flood protection system of Haor and the arrangements for harvesting paddy. If edible oil disappears in the market, the Prime Minister has to point out the solution. The solution to the anti-people decision to build a police station in the field has to be pointed out. So what is the job of ministers? Of course there is something. To create controversy by ‘mischief’. Some minister goes abroad with his whole clan. Some are invisible. And there are some who has been a minister for three terms is not seen in public even three times a year. No one knows what they do. A strange situation has been created in Bangladesh now. The Prime Minister will do everything alone. Create an environment of comfort for the people. And some will make things bizarre. Try to dispute all achievements. Sheikh Hasina is a hard worker. She has sacrificed everything for the people. She does everything with honesty and devotion. Her every step is for the welfare of the people as she always thinks of the people. But she is now lonely. She needs a helping hand to implement her thoughts and decisions. The collaboration that completes her magic. Take Sheikh Hasina's 'Ashrayan' project for example. It has now become an example of success due to the concentration and hard work of the dedicated officers of the Prime Minister's Office. Such a dedicated team is needed to implement the thoughts of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. As we have seen in the 'Ashrayan' project. As there was a team, three ministers of the Ministry of Roads, Railways and Shipping listened to the instructions of the Prime Minister during the Eid procession and implemented those guidelines in the field. Road Transport Minister Obaidul Quader supervised the roads. The railway minister rushed to the station. The Minister of Shipping has implemented the directives of the Prime Minister perfectly. This is called teamwork.

This time the Eid journey is a big lesson for the government. This time it has been proved that the country is better only if the Prime Minister's philosophy is implemented in the field in a systematic manner. Just as the government, the party also needs teamwork. Sheikh Hasina is working day and night to strengthen the organization and keep the party's ideology intact. How many are following Sheikh Hasina's decision letter by letter? Awami League Organizing Secretary Mirza Azam has shown that the impossible can be achieved by implementing the directives of the Awami League President. The Awami League leader has set a unique example in politics by forming 1,402 union committees ahead of the 12th parliamentary elections. It is seen that the organization is changing where Sheikh Hasina's thoughts and plans are being implemented perfectly. An enthusiastic Awami League is being exposed. And the organization is in a state of complete chaos where there is only flattery and praise. It is not necessary to chant the name of Sheikh Hasina all the time. It is necessary to implement Sheikh Hasina's ideals, policies and thoughts at work. Those who know Sheikh Hasina well know that she is a rational person. She does not hesitate to accept any reasonable advice in the interest of the people. The Prime Minister has done a lot to implement the aspirations of the people by moving away from setting up an airport in Munshiganj, abolishing quota system in government service, enacting Safe Roads Act, amending the law with death penalty as maximum punishment for rape. He accepted rational dissent. I would like to give an example in this regard.

The government has recently amended the Zila Parishad Act. The amended law provides for the appointment of administrators by the government in expired district administrations. Within 24 hours after the law was passed, the outgoing district council chairmen were asked to hand over power to the chief executive officer. This created frustration and instability in the Awami League at the field level. Rumors spread of the appointment of bureaucrats as administrators in the district councils. Concerns about the expansion of the bureaucracy at the field level were also being discussed. Again, since the amended law provides for the appointment of a public figure as an 'administrator', this leads to an unprecedented rush of lobbying. Before the election, the Awami League, which was plagued by controversy all over the country, was on the verge of a new crisis. Awami League presidium member Jahangir Kabir Nanak spoke to the Prime Minister at the time. He also expressed concern that the appointment of a new administrator could be a political 'boomerang'. In this context, Nanak proposed to keep the outgoing chairmen as advisors for the time being. The Prime Minister accepted the suggestion. The government was saved from an inevitable quarrel and violence at the district level. This is how Sheikh Hasina is. She does not hesitate to make any decision in the public interest and also does not force any decision.

Sheikh Hasina's thoughts and decisions must be implemented. The responsibility for this implementation lies with the party and the responsible persons in the government. But without implementing her decision, if they get self-satisfaction in praise, then it will not bring welfare to the country and people. If the ministers and leaders get busy arranging their sugarcane thinking that Sheikh Hasina is there, then the crisis in the party will only increase. The achievements of the government will also be tainted with unintended ink.