Yes! Now we can say NO to you!

Just a few days back our top two political leaders had exchanged pleasantries with each other in the Armed Forces Day function after a long long time.

When Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina shook hands with each other, every body present there at the program, cheered the great moment with applause. It was indeed a historical moment. It may be noted that both these ladies were unready even to see each other's face until they were imprisoned with similar charges; CORRUPTION!

When they were yet to be imprisoned [late 2006 & early 2007], attempts were made from various quarters for them [the two tops] to sit and resolve questions that were unresolved and for which there were uncertainty in the country in the political arena. But both were STEEL TOUGH! At last, as anarchy from all political quarters reached to its peak, ARMY had to intervene. The caretaker government who had sworn in after BNP's term, resigned admitting their failure and a fresh caretaker government was formed under the leadership of Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed.

Immediately after the end of the term of the BNP government, allegations aginst it's rule were there, especially from Awami-League. In public speeches prior to the election scheduled for January 22, 2007, AL president termed Khaleda Zia's government simply as a bunch of bandits. Open propaganda were being done by AL against her son Tarique Rahman. HAWA BHABAN, the second political office of BNP [technically known as analytical wing of BNP], headed by Tarique Rahman was ardently criticized by AL. People were convinced for obvious reasons that BNP had done great robbery during their term. Not only during that time but earlier too there were negative talks about HAWA Bhaban and Tarique Rahman especially about one of his close buddy and business partner Giasuddin Al Mamun [presently in jail]. Articles were published in many internationally acclaimed newspapers, column written about the mis-deeds of Al-Mamun. The people in the 'HAWA Bhaban' were forewarned. They were advised for restrained actions. But they were desperate, for, power had made them blind.

Al Mamun rather hired pages in local news papers and done propaganda in his support and tried his best to convince people through media that he was simply a saint and vast wealth that he owned were either presented by his father in law or inherited from his forefathers.

As soon as the new caretaker government under the leadership of Dr Fakhruddin was formed, the whole scenerio changed. Anti Corruption Commission was strengthened with the leadership of General Hasan Mashhood Chowdhury, the former Chief of Bangladesh ARMY. A man whose integrity could be questioned only by people with evil mind.

As Anti Corruption drive was strengthened, Al-Mamun was amongst the first batch of corrupts to go to jail. The AL chief was initially happy to see that one after another BNP people were being imprisoned. She didn't do the mistake of naming them who were still at large and amongst them was Lutfozzaman Babar, the minister for Home Affairs in Khaleda's cabinet. She catagorically named Babar saying that she failed to understand as to why this man was still a free man?

But, when in phase 2, men from her own party were being arrested, it possibly reminded Sheikh Hasina that AL term, i.e., Hasina's term as Prime Minister from 1996-2001 was not a period that was un-blemished. Secretary General of her party Abdul Jalil and lots of other AL top figures were arrested on corruption and various other charges. Sheikh Hasina with her 'power of intuition' could sense that she too could be facing the same destiny soon. Openly in the media she declared that this 'trouble-making' government might imprison her too; even kill and that she wasn't at all afraid. She assured people of the country that she would face it, what may come, being here in her own mother land; Bangladesh!

Sheikh Hasina was right. Not very long after she expressed herself to the PRESS, she was arrested. But, it was clear that imprisonment wasn't at all something she believed could happen to her. Possibly Hasina thought if she gives a prior signal to the people of the country that this 'trouble-making government' might send her to jail, out of love for her, thousands of people would be on the streets, agitate and compel the government to free her as it happened in case of her father, the Great Leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. But nothing happened alike! Sheikh Hasina should have realized, she isn't Sheikh Mujib.

She was sick and tired of the boring life in her 'Solitary Holiday Home.' 'Solitary Holiday Home' isn't a funny comment. If any body has known what is a regular jail in Bangladesh and the kind of jail Hasina was in, he/she would feel that relatively it is a Holiday Home but solitary. Honestly, in the houses both Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina spent their prison days and the facilities they enjoyed, not only a Bangladeshi but even people from developed countries cannot even imagine spending time with such huge conveniences in such lovely homes without money.

At last she could manage to get out of the 'holiday home' and left the country for United States as the kind of treatment of ears Sheikh Hasina required was not available within homeland according to her physicians. As election days were closer and as need for her presence was clearer, she chose to come back to the Native Soil. Surprisingly, the ones who filed corruption cases against her and other leaders started withdrawing cases in row.

As it is understood that the government had to give concession to both BNP & AL as their need was obvious in the upcoming election, so, despite the present government's guarantee to the nation to fight corruption, ultimately had to bend down to the 'leaders.' Immediately after this present government assumed power, it seemed that cats are coming out of bags. People knew the dirty faces of the political celebrity. This BNP man smuggled out this much of money that AL man smuggled out that much and other stories were talks amongst people and the media. Now, it seems all were fake stories.

AL President Sheikh Hasina on 19th December, in the election campaign urged voters not to vote for the corrupt people, black money holders and patrons of terrorists and militants in the next parliamentary election. "Soon after assuming power, the BNP-Jamaat coalition government looted crores of taka and siphoned off the money abroad which are now being revealed one after another," Hasina said pointing finger to BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's son Arafat Rahman Koko, who, according to the Anti-corruption Commission [ACC], has foreign currencies worth around two million US Dollar deposited in a Singapore bank. Anti corruption Commission Chairman General Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury said the money laundering allegations against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's younger son Arafat Rahman Koko are authentic.

"All the information about the money laundering of Arafat Rahman Koko is authentic," the ACC chief said at its regular press briefing. The ACC chairman also said, "The information is lawful. It has come through the government level."

Nazrul Islam Khan, Joint Secretary General of BNP claims that this is a mere accusition aginst BNP by the ACC to blacken their image to the voters.

The commission does not believe the information was false and motivated, Mashhud said, denying allegations of influencing the upcoming parliamentary polls. General Chowdhury also said, "This is not acceptable that the operation of commission's activities will be limited or disrupted for any political programs." "The commission's image is being tainted by the allegations that its activities are being operated against certain people," said the ACC chief, adding the commission cannot overlook the allegations. A foreign national volunteered the information the Anti-Corruption Commission needed to get at bribery involving BNP Chief Khaleda Zia's younger son Arafat Rahman Koko, said ACC sources. In a five-page statement, he said he would aid the anti-graft body in its probe on condition that his identity would be kept secret and safety ensured. Introducing himself as "a chartered secretary…married with two children", he also said he would not come to Bangladesh to testify against anyone for fear of reprisal. On this understanding, the ACC sent an official to Singapore to explore the official procedures there to investigate graft.

When both Khaleda and Hasina were in 'prison', AL chief was very sympathetic towards Khaleda. She expressed her dismay as and when government refused to provide any extra-facilities to Khaleda. Now, when both are working real hard traveling across the country to win vote, no one is doing any kind of misery in saying negative things about each other. As election is a kind of war, so anything should be fair. But can these 'fair' people ultimately do any thing good for the people? Certainly NOT!

Then why we have to vote them knowing their real face?

Fortunate thing is NO we do not have to! This time there is an option for the voters. Earlier, if we had to cast our vote, we had to vote a party or a candidate even if he/she was just a lousy person. This time there is an option, we could cast our votes in the section of the Ballot Paper which is NO vote, meaning, I chose no one out of the whole bunch. Lucky thing is, this NO votes will be taken into consideration and counted. If number of NO votes are more than 50% in that case election in that particular center will be termed VOID.

So, what will happen to our 'democracy' if people repeatedly vote NO and the number of No votes are always more than 50 percent?

As we all know that Dr Fakhruddin's government tried its best to create leaders. This should be a useless attempt because leaders cannot be created; they are born. So, do we have to wait for another 50 years for a leader to be born? May be not [?] As we have seen over the last two years that although there was no 'democracy' in the country, no so called 'leaders' around and there were no significant unrest as well. Hardly any cars were broken, buses burnt etc., etc., while, during 'democracy' it is a regular phenomenon.

An election is imminent. Regular democracy will be restored soon. Although democracy is known to be the best form of government of time but is it true in case of us? May be not! Because, democracy, especially for true democracy good leaders are must. Do we have leaders to lead us? Yes, we have but the ones who are confused themselves, busy in destroying each others image but promising BIG things to the nation! Can we or should we believe in their promises? What elase to do? We have to be happy with what we have with with us; be contended.

But, voting for 'them' is simply befooling ourselves. Thank GOD there is at least a weapon with us NO Votes. Will this create a political vacuum? Certainly not! Two of our national leaders are no more with us. Great Leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Late president General Ziaur Rahman. Is Bangladesh in a pause immediately after their death? We all know what is reality. This present government might have given the 'leaders' consession knowing full well who they are, as they were required for the election but any body can understand the fact.

The Nation remembers emergence of leader(s) in the crisis moment, especially about General Ziaur Rahman. His emergence was absolutely a drama. But country got a good leader. Although his departure was too early, but in the short time he got, he did something significant. Every body knows that concept of SAARC was General Zia's brain child. Is there another ZIA hidden somewhere within this country? Who knows? May be! Only time will say.

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Yes! Now we can say NO to you!

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