Scepticism brims over

Following the postponement of general elections, originally scheduled for January 22, 2007, Bangladesh appears to be heading towards a period of serious political instability - with the spectre of a return to martial law not totally unlikely. The opposition Awami League (AL)-led alliance got what it had demanded, when the elections were postponed and Iajuddin Ahmad, the caretaker president the AL accused of being too close to the ruling Bangladesh National Party (BNP) combine, resigned from the post.

The impoverished nation of 140 million people has seen a series of strikes and protests in the past three months which have left dozens of protesters dead while severely affecting the economy.

Weekend Review spoke to some members of the Bangladeshi community in Dubai to find out what they felt about the situation.

An election strategy

"The Awami League had reasons to boycott the polls. Iajuddin Ahmad was not neutral. He was Khaleda Zia's man. But the AL is also guilty of the offences it blamed on the BNP. The AL also put its own people in key positions when it was in power. It created an example that the BNP is following today. And now the nation is suffering," says Nabiur Rahman Khan, vice-president of Mashreq Bank. "Some of the feedback that I am getting from the business community in Dhaka is that people are so frustrated they are even sympathetic to the idea of a military intervention. This is dangerous," he says.

Mohiuddin Zaman, a senior business executive based in Dubai, was suspicious of the AL's real intentions. "Boycotting the polls was an election strategy for the AL. They knew that they were not going to win even if they had taken part." He says politics in Bangladesh is symbolised by the personal rivalry between AL chief Shaikh Hasina and BNP leader Begum Khaleda Zia. "If you call for a referendum in Bangladesh over the fate of these two leaders, a majority of the people will say both women should be exiled. Such is the level of dissatisfaction."

Much has been said about the AL's joining hands with the Jatiya Party of former military ruler General Hussain Mohammad Ershad. "They compromised on their own principles when they allied with Ershad's party. He is also one of the few people convicted on corruption charges." But Zaman was dismissive of military intervention.

M.A. Kabeer, a businessman and a leading member of the Bangladeshi community in the UAE, says, "These strikes and demonstrations are affecting the economy enormously, especially the garment industry. The problem is with the two leaders [Hasina and Khaleda]. They can't even get themselves to talk to each other. People are suffering as a result."

Salahuddin Ahmad, a marketing and sales manager who works for Aspen Engineering Services in Dubai, thinks that the AL should have participated in the elections. "The AL made a gross mistake. It is the oldest political party in the country. It should not have been so adamant in its demands." Criticising the party for its alliance with Ershad, Ahmad says: "There should be a minimum set of principles in politics. How can the AL ally itself with the Jatiya party?"

S.B. Seema, a Dubai-based businesswoman, is concerned about the political impasse's affect on Bangladesh's economy. "The present situation is badly affecting the investment climate. When I talk to people here about investment opportunities in Bangladesh, they are sceptical. Why, even employers are afraid to travel to Bangladesh to recruit workers." Seema too, feels that Hasina and Khaleda are to blame.

Shibli Al Shadiq, a journalist, believes the imposition of a state of emergency is good for the people. "The political disturbances had simply got out of control. The new caretaker president [Fakhruddin Ahmad] looks more neutral, unlike Iajuddin who was close to the BNP." Shadiq feels that the international community, especially United States and the UN, played a major part in Iajuddin's resignation. Asked whether he feared a military takeover, Shadiq says, "It is very unlikely."