Senior political leaders lose influence

Senior politicians have lost their influence in politics as many of them have got old, are bedridden, and no longer participate in political programmes. They are no longer in the news. Young politicians are not receiving guidance because of the absence of senior ones in political programmes. This is the picture in all parties, including the ruling Awami League. Despite losing their influence, elder politicians are not giving up their positions for young ones. That is why the timely transfer of positions and responsibilities to young politicians is not happening.

Former president of Bangladesh and president of Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh Prof Dr AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury is now 91 years old. During the coronavirus pandemic, he appeared in the media once or twice. But after the 12th parliamentary elections, he was not seen in any political programme.

He was the deputy prime minister during the regime of late president Ziaur Rahman. He was the founding secretary general of BNP. After BNP assumed power again, he became the foreign minister. In November 2001, he assumed responsibility as the country’s president.

He resigned as the president in 2002 and later formed Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh. Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh sources said he was healthy during the eleventh national elections and was active in the political arena even though he did not contest. His son Mahi B Chowdhury became an MP from his seat. Badruddoza is now very sick and cannot remain active in politics due to his physical condition. He does not even talk about politics now.

Gano Forum President Dr Kamal Hossain is 87 years old. He is best known as the author of the country’s constitution. He had always been active in politics. He won the 1970 elections as an Awami League candidate from East Pakistan. In 1972, he served as the chairman of the constitution drafting committee of independent Bangladesh. He was the law minister in 1972 and the foreign minister from 1973 to 1975.

In 1973, he became an MP from the then Dhaka-14 constituency as a candidate of the Awami League in the first parliamentary elections of Bangladesh. He was freed along with Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on January 8, 1972 after the birth of Bangladesh. He returned to Bangladesh with Sheikh Mujib on January 10 via London. He left Awami League in 1992. After that, he was active in politics by forming various parties and fronts. During the 11th parliamentary elections, he participated regularly in morning and afternoon briefings as the head of Oikya Front. He became completely silent after the heavy defeat in elections.

Addressing the special national council of Gano Forum at the National Press Club last year, Kamal said, “Considering my age and physical condition, it is not possible to actively perform the duties of the party president. In this situation, I announce my resignation from all political activities as well as from the post of the president of Gano Forum. I will try to contribute to the country and the nation to the best of my ability."

Rowshan Ershad is the chairman of a faction of Jatiya Party and former leader of opposition in parliament. Before that, he had served as an MP for several terms. She served as the health minister for some time. She is the wife of former Bangladesh president and former army chief HM Ershad. She was the main patron of the Bangladesh National Women's Organisation during the Jatiya Party regime.

Party leaders claim that Rowshan was behind the split of the Jatiya Party again and again. Reliable sources of the party say that she has been ill for a long time and a team of doctors from a hospital in Bangkok is looking after her. She is unable to speak clearly and does not go out if there is no urgent need.

Awami League Advisory Council Member Tofail Ahmed served as a minister for several terms. During the student movement in 1968-69, he served as the convener of the Sarbadaliya Chhatra Sangram Parishad as the VP of the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (Ducsu). He conferred the title “Bangabandhu” on Sheikh Mujibur Rahman amid the presence of thousands of people at an event organised by the Kendriya Chhatra Sangram Parishad at the then Ramna Racecourse (presently Suhrawardy Udyan).

He became the political secretary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who was the first prime minister of independent Bangladesh. He has been a Member of Parliament for a long time as a candidate of the Awami League. Party and family sources say that he is currently ill. As a result, it is not possible for him to be active in the political arena. Sometimes he uses a wheelchair and sometimes he moves with the help of others.

BNP standing committee member Barrister Jamiruddin Sircar is 92 years old. For a long time, he has been depending on assistance for movement. Before the 12th parliamentary elections, he was seen in some programmes. But he could not stand or sit continuously for 20-30 minutes. He cannot even regularly attend standing committee meetings and most of the time joins online like the acting chairman of the party.

Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain is a member of the standing committee of BNP. He organised expatriates in 1971 with the aim of creating global public opinion in favour of the liberation war and led as the convener of the Chhatra Sangram Parishad. He joined the Dhaka University as a junior lecturer in geology in 1967. He was gradually promoted to the ranks of assistant professor and professor. From 1987 to 1990, he served as the chairman of the Department of Geology at Dhaka University.

He joined BNP in 1979 at the invitation of then president Ziaur Rahman. After that, he was an MP four times and a minister thrice. According to BNP sources, Mosharraf returned home after receiving treatment abroad and now stays at home. He is not physically fit to participate in political activities. He lives under doctor’s supervision.

Former president of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) Mujahidul Islam Selim is 75 years old. The left-wing leader always had an active presence in front of the National Press Club on various issues of the country. He always gave guidelines about important national issues. The strong leader, who speaks for the rights of women and working people, remains silent since the twelfth parliamentary elections. He is no longer in the media spotlight as before.

President of Krishak Sramik Janata League Abdul Kader Siddique is 77 years old. Before and after the 11th parliamentary elections, he was active in the BNP circle, but not anymore. Before the twelfth parliamentary elections, he had been busy for a while and had the blessings of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. But he suddenly disappeared from the political scene and is no longer active in meetings or seminars or civic issues.

Political analysts say in the current situation, senior leaders should quit politics to pave the way for young ones. At present, senior politicians of the ruling party are inactive. They do not play any role in field politics. Senior leaders of the opposition party are being led by orders from London or some other places. The tradition of the democratic system is that the young and senior leaders will conduct political activities together. But in Bangladesh, this is not happening. Many think if seniors do not participate in programmes, there will be no impact on politics.

Young politicians demand that senior leaders who have been active for a long time but are now no longer fit due to old age and illness should quit their posts. They should also let young leaders lead.

Political analyst and researcher Afsan Chowdhury said, "Whether or not a party will allow senior leaders to participate in politics is its own matter. I don't think there will be any impact on politics if seniors don't attend party programmes. This is because responsible leaders of every political party think that the youth should be brought to leadership. Every party is working on youth leadership.”