Ensuring party discipline is a big challenge
Bangladesh is preparing for its golden jubilee of independence while commemorating the Mujib Borsho. Several mega projects are underway. However, the ruling party’s apathy towards justice in society is totally is inconsisten with such uplifting acitivites.
Recently, Pirojpur district Awami League’s president AKMA Awal with his wife returned home after being granted bail by the High Court. He is a former lawmaker. He was accorded with a filmy reception by political leaders and activists, a motorcade escorting him along the way. He hadn't been sued by political rivals, nor had any case been filed against him for carry out any work of his political party. Yet the manner in which he returned and enjoyed the extravagant reception surely is a clear violation of party discipline and order.
The government supports the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and its all legal procedures. The ACC on 30 December last year filed three cases against Awal for erecting a building on vested property and khas land and grabbing ponds.
His wife, president of Pirojpur district women unit of Awami League, was sued in one of the cases. This is a matter of concern in a society committed to democracy and rule of law. This kind of incident is good enough to destroy a political career. But Awal returned as if he had committed some sort of heroic act.
If rule of law is strong within a party, this kind of incident cannot happen. In a normal situation, the couple would have quit their posts after such an incident, as they are not common persons, but persons in elevated positions. They are exemplary personalities in society. To school children, a district Awami League president is as exalted as a minister. The district women Awami League leader deserves the same honour. But we see the opposite. They have not ben clearedof charges by the court and yet they are already celebrating.
It’s understandable that ACC filed the case against a ruling party district president after investigation. The preliminary accusation against him is believable. Then why was he been welcomed with the motorcade costing fuel and hampering vehicular movement on roads. And how did he accept the reception? What model has he set? From now on, should all the AL leaders across the country be accorded receptions after getting bail?
Did he want to give a message to society through the motorcade? It has been learnt that he, elected twice as a law maker, is to face a personal challenge in near future. Speculations say he wants the president position one more year as the district AL council is in the offing. It is also a matter of grave concern that his brothers (mayor and upazila chairman) along with more than one upazila and union parishad chairmen joined the reception party with their supporters. It is equivalent to committing misconduct by the elected representatives. The party must ensure accountability.
We see this incident as an example. Our main concern is the lack of discipline in the ruling party. This lapse is a huge hindrance to ensuring the rule of law. When a party fails to act, police or jurisdiction can’t do so. Thus, ensuring discipline in a party is the biggest challenge.