Hasina set to create history

Brambhanberia

(Bangladesh): As we crossed mighty Meghna river on a mechanised big ferry carrying people,buses and cars from the bank of Araihazar gram huge gathering welcomed visiting Indian Journalists on the other side of the river. Local MP from Awami league Captain Tajul Islam who was Pakistani Army joined Mukti bahini during liberation struggle is the man of the moment for being arranging this mechanised ferry.

The small attention from him made him hugely popular in the Brambhanberia constituency. This speaks about how Sheikh Hasina government has changed the life of common people in last ten years. Precisely the economic development of the country has neutralised so called anti incumbency and helped her Father' Bangabandhu's Awami league party to build a network across the country, even in remote corner. On the other hand mere a negative campaign by the opposition BNP and aligning with the rightwing anti-India Jamaet Islami did not cut much ice among the people. Bangladesh is going to 11th national poll on Sunday.

In fact from the bank of Meghna we drove down through a narrow road and a sea of humanity was following us till we came back. During our visit we didn't find any campaign or posters of BNP throughout the road.

This gives an impression that Sheikh Hasina is going to create a new narrative in the history of Bangladesh electoral history by winning consecutive three times in a row and a fourth time Prime minister of a country which had witnessed many military coup-d'etat and emergency . In Bangladesh no incumbent ever won any general election of the country. Political stability has helped Hasina Government to strengthen democratic institution and focussing on basic development of the country. Under her leadership Bangladesh has achieved a sustainable growth and now the country poised for achieving the goal of becoming a developing country .

This is precisely the reason that Captain Islam can win this time with record margin which in turn helps nearby constituency to wrest from the opposition. Interestingly this time Awami league candidates are openly acknowledging India's role during the liberation war and they tried convert the campaign on the ideals of liberation struggle . Easily they are saying Pakistan is the enemy of country and opposition BNP –Jamaet are conspirating against the country to bring back Pakistan friendly regime.

In fact opposition BNP is not mentioning a single word against India ,on the contrary in their manifesto claims to maintain a friendly relation with the immediate neighbour.

Awami league in their manifesto propagating all the connectivity project as success of Sheikh Hasina's diplomatic success and creating new opportunities for the people at large. This is one of the great successes of Indian diplomats headed by High Commissioner Harsh Bardhan Sringla by maintaining a balanced policy towards political establishment of the India's one of the best neighbour. For the last ten years Sheikh Hasina's "zero tolerance policy " against terrorism has created a comfort zone for Indian establishment.

There were a view from a section of Indian think tank India should not put all options in one basket. But experience over the past ten years has proved Indian diplomacy created a dividend for implementing "Act East" policy. New connectivity has opened a new opportunities in the land locked Northeast ,from there whole of South east will be easily accessible.

Privately opposition parties are admitting that they are not in contest in all 300 seats. In some pockets of Rajshahi, Pabna, Bagura (Khaleda Zia's old constituency) Feni and Chittagong opposition candidates are giving a tough time to ruling party candidates. Nevertheless Awami League with their 14 party alliance will come out in flying colours ,no doubt. Tomorrow Bangladesh will go for 11th National election in 299 seats out of 300 as one candidate died and the election of that constituency is postponed. Total number of voters of more than 10 crors will elect a new Government whose results would be counted immediately after the polling. By late night trend of the results will be out. This is first time Bangladesh election commission has introduced EVM machine in six constituencies as an experiment. Depending on sucess from the next election all constituencies will be covered by EVM.