AL vs. BNP, and the setting of an impotent sun

The sun is beaming through the window as I sit, a block from the beach, composing this article.

I remember my college days, when my friends from warmer climes, freshmen abroad for the first time, would marvel at the weather here in the New York/ New Jersey area.

On sunny days such as this, despite my warnings, many of my friends (mostly from India and the West Indies) would leave our dorm in shirtsleeves, expecting, I imagine, that the sunny weather outside meant that the day was warm. And then, as they ventured out, they would be instantly slammed by the "Arctic Express," a northerly winter wind that drops December temperatures into the negative numbers despite the strong sunshine. For you who reckon temperatures in Centigrade, the temperature outside is currently -5.5. The sun is shining strong as ever, but it illuminates without warmth.

My eager friends would come back inside, their tropical eyes tearing from the cold. I will never forget the look of astonishment on their faces. The sun had betrayed them.

Me, I stayed inside, bundled up and dreamed of Florida.

* * *

I have often prefaced my views on your politics "at the top" with a plea for your kind indulgence as a person who is still trying to sort everything out. I have misstepped from time to time, and you have taken me to task. For this, I thank you, because, I think, no matter how much we know, we can only get better through correction,.

Politicians might do well to embrace coaching as well, whatever the source.

I was perplexed by a series of moves your prime minister made this week. Believe me; anyone's internal politics may be difficult to understand, especially for an American halfway across the world, but what happens in Bangladesh can be especially confusing at times.

This is not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, such confusions can be the postpartum delirium of newborn democracies. Certainly, nothing is easier to understand than the actions of military dictatorships such as China or North Korea. Still, events of the past week sent up some "red flags" for me, an outside observer, and I wondered if any of you all out there could let me know if my interpretation is in error.

The first event was the arraignment of opposition leader Khaleda on charges of corruption this week. I know this case has seen several postponements; in fact, my research shows that the case first came to light in 2009. Is this a sincere attempt to end corruption on the part of the current government? Or is it some sort of pre-emptive strike to consolidate power?

If Khaleda is found guilty, I imagine she would not be allowed to oppose the prime minister in the next elections. I wonder, even if the accusations are correct, would Khaleda have found some way to accuse her political opposite of corruption were their roles reversed?

It seems to me that corruption charges have become a sort of bloodless alternative to political assassination, the kind we've seen individuals like Muhammad Yunus fall victim to when he attempted to create an alternative party.

I looked back on the history of corruption in 2008, when the current prime minister was charged with extortion. According to a Wikileaks communique issued from the US embassy at the time, Sheikh Hasina's lawyers were delaying the trial because she feared she may lose the trial. The US embassy in Dhaka reported that both women were autocratic and were the cause of "the nation's dysfunctional politics". Well, as a nation not completely unfamiliar with dysfunctional politics, we would know.

The larger red flag, for me, was Sheikh Hasina's speech this week, lauding her accomplishments and blasting the BNP. It is clear that for her, the only course is either BNP or AL, without any compromise or third party inclusion possible. At our worst moments here in the US, we still, at least nominally, call for cooperation and give credit where credit is due. A two-party system requires two viable, active parties. The time spent gutting and de-clawing the opposition would be better spent if both sides could cooperate to assure the common good. Better than BNP or AL, would be BNP and AL.

My readers have warned me that such compromise is not possible. I have often heard the claim that should one of the two ruling families fall from power, the acts of corruption it committed while in office would be revealed, and the deposed family would be forced to stand trial. For this reason, both women tenaciously cling to power.

For Bangladesh, that tiger surrounded by larger, richer tigers, to use the power of the right paw to de-claw the left is foolish and dangerous. With a strong internal opposition, the prime minister might wield more leverage when dealing with issues like India's unilateral decision to build the Tipaimukh dam. Instead, infighting keeps the country weak, and speeches that vilify the opposition while touting achievements of one political party seem disingenuous and self-serving. Meanwhile, surrounding nations act in lockstep self-interest.

The truth is, Bangladesh, in your two-family system of government, you have other options. One of the best options is one illustrated by the recent election of Selina Hayat Ivy. The membership of both parties can rise up and oppose the internal candidates that logjam the system and oppose cooperation. The Bangladeshi voter can effectively remake both parties so that they serve the national best interests.

* * *

The impotent winter sun has painted a pretty orange watercolour in the sky as it sets in the West. I still have not ventured out onto the street because experience has taught me that as brilliant as the weather may seem at this time of year, it is no time to rush out in anticipation of warmth and ease.

You may not experience such cold days as we do here, but maybe we'd all do well to be wary of bright, shiny objects that fall short of delivering on their promise of warmth and sustenance.

Politics, like the winter sun, can seem bright with promise, but this sceptic, with so many winters of life behind him, would definitely bundle up against winter sunshine or politicians' words.

————————————–
Frank Domenico Cipriani writes a weekly column in the Riverside Signal called "You Think What You Think And I'll Think What I Know." He is also the founder and CEO of The Gatherer Institute — a not-for-profit public charity dedicated to promoting respect for the promoting respect for the environment and empowering individuals to become self-taught and self-sufficient. His most recent book, "Learning Little Hawk's Way of Storytelling", teaches the native art of oral tradition storytelling.