Rastrapati Chief Adviser

To : mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com

President Dr. Eiazuddin Ahmed as Chief Adviser

At last the crisis of chief adviser of the caretaker government is over when tonight at 8 pm the president Dr. Eiazuddin Ahmed took the oath as the Chief Adviser conducted by the Chief justice of the Supreme Court. The oath taking ceremony held inside the Bangavabn darbar Hall was attended by some of ex-chief advisers including Justice Habibur Rahman, Begum Khaleda, erstwhile PM and leaders of the political parties of 4-party alliance plus Jatiya Party Chief Lt. General Ershad. None of the leaders of the political parties belonging to the 14 party alliance were seen at the function. They said to the journalists that they were not informed.   

Earlier the president spend whole day with political party leaders asking their suggestions how to overcome the present difficulty of choosing a non-party neutral chief adviser. He held talk with Jatiya Party of Ershad represented by Kazi Jafar Ahmed, BNP represented by Mannan Bhuiyan, secretary general, Maudud Ahmed, MK Anwar etc, AL represented by a team of veteran AL leaders including Tofael Ahmed, Abdur Razzak led by MA Jalil, general secretary, and finally with the representatives of the Jamt I Islami.

As is known from various sources, JP of Ershad did not suggest any name, but requested the President to follow the prescription of the constitution and they have full confidence in him. The Jamat leaders also expressed the same view pointing out that he should take over the post of Chief Adviser if all other means fail. They also expressed their confidence in him. On the other hand from the very beginning BNP tried to impress on Rastrapati that if Justice Hasan at the last moment declined, Dr. Eiazuddin Ahmed should take over the chief adviser’s post too. The BNP made their demand clear that they would not accept any other individuals or judges except the president as the chief adviser. On the 27^th night when it became known that Justice Hasan might decline the offer, PM Khaleda Begum rushed to the President to tell him giving two alternatives (i) immediately call Justice Hasan and hold the oath taking ceremony on October 28, 2006 positively. If he felt shaky or physically incapable he could go to hospital, speaker Mr. Jamiruddin Sarkar was ready to conduct the oath as temporary president, or (ii) if justice Hasan declined to assume the responsibility he (the President) and only he must become the chief adviser and no other individuals justice or no justice. The Awami league leaders asked the president to follow step by step all the provisions of choosing chief adviser as prescribed in the constitution. They categorically stressed that except Justice Hasan and Justice MA Aziz AL AL were ready to accept any one comes according to the lists. Mr. Jalil also made it clear in the earlier meeting with the President that question of President himself becoming the chief adviser. AL chief Sheikh Hasina also made it clear that they were not prepared to see President himself occupying the chair of the chief adviser.

As the Hasan-drama came to an end, a new drama for public consumption (an eye-wash) was being staged at the Bangavaban putting the Rastrapati forefront, but real kushi-labs (actors) led by BNP chairperson conducted the show from behind. Mr. President did not hide his desire to become the chief adviser when he met Mannan Bhuiyan of BNP and AL GS MA Jalil – he said to them that if they i.e. BNP and AL agreed he could assume the office of the Chief Adviser in addition to his present responsibility as president even with his weak health for the greater interest of the country (is it ? or for the interest of BNP). Mr. Jalil disagreed with president’s desire.  

 Following his oath, President Eiazuddin and chief adviser (two in one) addressed the nation. In his address he narrated the situation under which he was almost forced to take over the country’s administration having no other alternatives. He sought the cooperation of his countrymen and all political parties, administrations of all levels. He said that his main aim is to hold a free and fair election within the stipulated time. Then hand over his responsibility to the newly elected government. His statement reminds us a general taking over state's affairs in addition to his military duties. 

Dr. Eiazuddin Ahmed, a know BNP intellectual and staunch supporter of BNP politics took upon himself a great challenge to prove himself a true neutral caretaker government head. He himself, at the advice of his political mentors and benefactors, put himself in the office of the chief adviser. The task is stupendous. Is he that capable a person, many doubt? He has now exposed himself to open criticism from which he has so far been immune under the shield of respectful Presidential office. In my next episode I will examine the constitutional positions how he became the chief adviser. Or was it a coup de data 

Only solace we can get that with the assumption of Chief adiveser by the President the tyrannical Government of Khlaleda-Name collusion came to an  end formally. 

From Dhaka: Ajoy Roy