Photo : Collected
As the first Eid-ul-Fitr after the 12th general election is just a week away, the prominence of the ruling Awami League in politics centring the festival is overshadowing the BNP, which has been out of power for more than a decade.
Posters, banners, and festoons with Eid greetings from Awami League leaders appear prominently in different areas. The ward-level leaders are putting up the posters that have big pictures of lawmakers and ministers at important points.
Meanwhile, the Awami League did not field candidates in the upcoming upazila parishad elections, but its members of parliament, ministers, and local leaders have made their close relatives candidates. Their presence in Eid politics has a big impact on party politics.
On the other hand, there is no liveliness in the BNP and most of its top leaders will not be in their hometowns on this Eid. Many BNP men at the field level are heartbroken as the central command has directed not to participate in the upazila elections.
Key BNP leaders said former MPs, ministers, and businessmen have for long been supporting the party leaders who faced physical attacks and cases. Most of the top leaders are in a financial crisis after the national elections. Many of them will not be able to go to their villages to celebrate Eid even if they want to.
Many top leaders are in financial trouble after providing support during Ramadan for the family members of the oppressed subordinates at the directives of the party’s acting chairman. Even if they want to go home on Eid and spend like they did in the past, it will not be possible.
Besides, most of them do not want to present themselves in festoons and banners like their ruling party counterparts. Many leaders even alleged that due to the obstacles created by the ruling party, they have lost interest in exchanging Eid greetings.
Leaders and activists of the BNP said Eid politics now centres only around the Awami League as its leaders have been in power for a long time and have money. Many opposition members are in dire straits financially. The common people are also leading a miserable life as they are burdened by price hikes and soaring inflation.
Analysts and experts say no one does politics for the people anymore and assuming power has become the main objective. The political arena is now characterised by party interests.
Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik Secretary Badiul Alam Majumder told The Daily Messenger political parties are now involved in conflicts over power.
“The way to leave office constitutionally has been blocked. The Awami League has been in power for a long time by using many tactics. One party has seen an increase in their financial capability while the other is in a crisis. So, only the ruling party leaders can celebrate Eid with joy,” he said.
BNP Organisational Secretary Syed Emran Saleh Prince said it is going to be a miserable Eid for commoners as they have lots of problems, including price hikes of essentials.
“Therefore, our leaders and activists have been asked to stand by the common people and help them as much as possible. We did this in Ramadan. Financial assistance has been provided to all our oppressed party members’ families so that they can have a good Eid,” he added.
Awami League Organisational Secretary and lawmaker SM Kamal Hossain said his party does politics for the common people.
“We always stand by the people, just like we did during Ramadan. We will do that during Eid as well. Our top leader always instructs us to stand by our party members affected by the BNP-Jamaat’s attacks,” he added.
Messenger/Fameema
