Anisul Islam Noor :
Ruling Awami League has become pleased with the verdict that sentenced BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia to serve five years in jail, but at the same time the leaders fear that she will win public sympathy.
The ruling Awami League did not, however, move from the position of giving pressure on BNP. Talking with several leaders of Awami League’s policy-making level, attitude of the party and the government could be assessed apparently.
Though they are pleased with the verdict, they will not celebrate, fearing that the people would then judge the verdict as politically motivated.
An Awami League Presidium member told The New Nation that it was essential to prove Khaleda Zia and her son Tarique Rahman corrupt. This would be propagated ahead of the election at home and abroad.
The Awami League’s assessment about the recent politics of the BNP is that the party is now under-stressed. Because of this, the party chooses ‘go slow policy’ and not adventure. The BNP realized that they will not make a mistake if participate in the election.
AL policy makers’ idea is that BNP leaders would be busy with their chairperson release and this would curb their demand for an election-time supportive government and preparations for the election, he added.
Talking about their worries centring the verdict, senior AL leaders said that the ruling party was concerned as to whether people’s sympathy would increase for Khaleda Zia following the verdict as BNP leaders have so far displayed maturity before and after the verdict.
AL Presidium Member and Health Minister Mohammad Nasim, “Politicians in prison used to become great leaders during the Pakistan period as those cases were political. But, Khaleda Zia has been convicted in a graft case. Why would then she get people’s sympathy?”
After Khaleda and Tarique’s conviction, the government will now face more pressure for trials of other graft charges against ruling party. This is another another for the ruling AL, said several of its leaders.
Mohammad Nasim said also the ruling party has nothing to be satisfied or dissatisfied with the verdict of Khaleda.
Ruling AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Friday said, “Khaleda Zia’s conviction in Zia Orphanage Trust graft case would only deepen BNP’s internal crisis, not the country’s political crisis.”
He passed the remarks while visiting a BRTA project in Gazipur.
Two pro-AL lawyers told The New Nation, it is unclear why BNP did not protest against the verdict violently.
It appeared that BNP leaders showed maturity in their reaction and protests before and after the verdict.
AL Presidium member Faruk Khan said that AL has no gains or losses over Khaleda’s verdict. No one is above law – this has been proved through the verdict, he said.
The incumbent government does not even excuse its own ministers and members of Parliament. Whoever is corrupt face will trial, he added.
Faruk Khan said that the cases against Khaleda Zia or Tarique Rahman will be in their speed. These are the issues of the courts. And the administration and law enforcement agencies of all the countries of the world will do the same, the Awami League government will do it.
However, Awami League wants to take the highest political advantage by organizing the party more in the present situation. For this reason, party high ups are insisting to make the party stronger. Khaleda Zia in prison, Tareq Rahman in London, exploit, such situation bring benefits to the ruling party? Said Abdur Razzak , Awami League presidium member.
He also said, “There is no intention to take any additional benefits. However, the people will not like any party chief imprisoned for corruption. People will also evaluate our work.
A teacher of Dhaka University Shantanu Majumder, who obtained a PhD on Awami League’s secular politics from London University said, the Awami League will not be in a strict position right now.
He said in the first light, “I do not think an experienced party like Awami League will take the position to be tough now. This is because, due to the popularity of the two periods, there is a lack of popularity. More than eight to nine months left to be selected. If harsh now, it will bring benefits for BNP.”
