Delhi wants way out of political standoff Ershad tells
The Independent
Delhi wants way out of political standoff Ershad tells
SATURDAY, 18 AUGUST 2012 AUTHOR / SOURCE : KUMKUM CHADHA
Dhaka, Aug 17: General Ershad’s visit to India has caused much curiosity. More so because he has had an audience with India’s Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and President Pranab Mukherjee. Add to that the fact that an official dinner was hosted in his honour and the moot question is: What is he doing here?
In an exclusive interview with The Independent on the eve of his departure, General Ershad cleared the suspense and revealed the crux of his India visit.
Almost candidly, he let out snatches of conversations and assurances he got from the Indian Government during the crucial meetings he had here.
Excerpts from the interview:
Q: Why are you here?
A: I am here at the invitation of the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who asked me to come to India when he visited Bangladesh. I have been warmly received and accorded due respect, honour and I am very pleased.
Q: You also met the President of India
A: Yes, I did, this morning
Q: What transpired in that meeting?
A: Well he is a Bengali; his wife comes from our country. She was born there and there was a lot of celebration in Bangladesh when he was elected President of India. I feel at home with him. I enjoyed speaking Bengali with him.
Q: And what exactly did you discuss in Bengali?
A: We talked about our country, our democracy and your democracy. The other day in his speech he said that Parliament is the soul of the people. Unfortunately that is not true about Bangladesh. Your democracy has taken root; you argue and fight in Parliament which makes it a functional democracy, and as a nation we are proud of this fact that your democracy is acceptable throughout the world as the largest democracy.
We have a democracy but it is not functional as yet. We only have it in name. That is the problem. How can we have a functional democracy? How to bring two parties or all the Opposition parties to Parliament? How to make them talk to and about the government; to criticize it for its failures? Unfortunately that does not happen in Bangladesh. We feel very sorry for this state of affairs. But some day it will happen…we will take a few more years for it to happen. So we discussed all this.
Q: Any solutions offered by Dr Singh or the President, or a way forward?
A: No. We have to find the solution. As friends we can only discuss with them the situation. Our elections are only a year away. They will be held in October given that there is a Constitutional amendment which has been passed. The present government’s tenure will be over in December so in October the entire government will be functioning: Prime Minister, Minister and MPs will be there. Under the circumstances, the Opposition parties will not come forward to participate in the elections. They will be hesitant to come forward. So how do we resolve this issue?
Q: How can this be resolved?
A: We will have to find a compromise formula to see that all Opposition parties come on board. As things stand, they will not. So there is a big question whether in the next elections all political parties will participate or not? If not, how to get them to take part? And that is why a dialogue should precede an election otherwise the way things are there may not be an election or one where the Opposition parties may not take part.
Q:What did Dr Singh say to that? Did he make any comment?
A: Dr Singh cannot give us a solution. That we have to find. But yes as a neighbouring country India is worried and would like to see a democratically elected government in place which will make it easier to deal with each other.
Q: A general feeling in India is that the Sheikh Hasina government is best bet for India. Do you agree?
A: You are right and that is why Sheikh Hasina is seen as pro-Indian which at time goes against her. But what you say is right.
Q: What is your view?
A: Nothing wrong…nothing wrong. But the question is that the country comes first. If she can serve the purpose of the country, resolve all the outstanding issues with India, it hardly makes a difference whether she is pro-India or not. But India on its part has given us lots of concessions and with the exception of a few items all items have free access into India. There are a few issues with are unresolved like Teesta waters, exchange of conclaves and now Taipaimukh has come up. But Dr Manmohan Singh told me categorically that he will not do anything which will harm the interests of Bangladesh. He said if you want you can invest here in electricity projects. He was very, very sincere.
Q: What about Teesta and land boundary agreement?
A: He was optimistic that it will happen. There is no water shortage now because of the monsoons. It is only in winter that we will know how much water we are getting. We may get any amount of water but we want something in writing…on paper... only then the people in Bangladesh will be happy.
Q: Do you think it will happen?
A: It has to happen today or tomorrow.
Q: But isn’t a deadline important because the general feeling at least in Bangladesh is that India promises but falls short on delivery?
A:Yes, but the Central government is keen to do this. Dr Singh went to Bangladesh to sign this treaty but somehow Ms Mamata Banerjee did not turn up. So, that was an embarrassment for us and India. Yet it showed clearly that the Indian Government is very keen to resolve this issue. There are some problems but this time but Dr Singh told me, don’t worry we are going to resolve this issue today or tomorrow. That means that this government is sure that this will be done.
Q:Are you sure?
A:I am sure because Dr Manmohan Singh is very sincere.
Q
id you discuss domestic politics with the President of India?
A: He also discussed Bangladesh politics; he also wants a fair election and was concerned how a way out can be found. But as I said we have to find a formula.
Q
o you think it is possible?
A: Under the circumstances with this (15th) Amendment it is difficult but the elections have to be held otherwise there will be anarchy or a third force.
Q: What role do you see for yourself in Bangladesh politics and in Indo-Bangladesh relationship?
A: At the moment I am in an alliance with the Government and my contribution is very great because the alliance got so many seats. I can still play that role but for the next election I have already declared that I will go alone. In 1996, I was debarred from taking part in the elections and was sent to jail. So far I have not been able to judge my popularity and vote share. This time I want to fight alone and assess and measure my popularity. Everywhere I go people tell me that I am much better and popular. One thing is sure: I am the most popular figure in the country now; therefore I want to measure my popularity through elections. Second, if the three parties fight elections, I will never get the Awami League votes. Their 30 percent votes no one can touch. The BNP also has 30 percent votes but the rest of the votes are mine. And if I can draw some of their votes then I can form the government. Therefore I want to go for election alone. Then I can be the kingmaker.
Q: Have you told this to the Indian Government during your discussions?
A: Yes I have told them that if I go for elections alone and the BNP comes I will get all the BNP votes. If I get 40-50 seats, in fact 60, it will help the present government.
Q: The issue of “illegal immigration” has been debated in the Indian Parliament in recent weeks. What is your view?
A: Why will people come to your country? There is poverty in our country and there is poverty in your country. Maybe one or two persons may trickle down for a job but why would they come? I do not have figures so I cannot comment on it. But I do not agree that there is illegal immigration.
Q: When the World Bank pulled out of the Padma Bridge project, China stepped in to help Bangladesh while India was dithering. So the common feeling is that while India promises China delivers. Do you agree?
A: I will not comment on this. We did not ask India to help. If we had they would have stepped in. We did not ask for China’s help but we looked for World Bank support; unfortunately that went sour and that tarnished the image of Bangladesh. We handled it wrongly.
Q: Do you subscribe to the view that it is in India’s interest that you stay on with Sheikh Hasina and do not step out of the alliance?
A: BNP and we have similar ideaology and if I join the BNP, in my absence, my party will be absorbed by the BNP because they are a bigger party and that I will not allow. I am more comfortable here and I will support them but will retain my separate identity.
Q: But you are in alliance?
A: That is okay, but I have my own (party) symbol, my own entity and my own identity. I feel that if I go with them in the next elections we will not do well.
Q: But looking at it from India’s point of view, you going alone is not the best option. You and Hasina are a better bet.
A: I am with Sheikh Hasina and during the elections I will help her. My vote share will help Hasina.
Q: Would you say you are on a private visit?
A: I came at the invitation of the Prime Minister and discussed domestic politics with him.
