Sajib Arman : There are politically-motivated doomsayers, not to mention a section of our self-serving civil society, determined to look at the glass half empty and condemn the powers-that-be. They find every opportunity to condemn the government, but remain dubiously silent when it comes to its positive successes and achievements.

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There are three recent news items worth noting that will hopefully set the tone for the next five years, and have far-reaching implications in our governance.

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First, the prime minister is reorganising her office, inducting people with experience and clean images to avoid controversies and expedite development activities. She has dropped a few senior officials and is likely to replace them with those known for clean track records and competence.

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Second, the police arrested a leader of the Rajshahi University Chhatra League on February 5 in connection with the violence on February 2. The Home Ministry earlier ordered the police to arrest those responsible for attacks on students.

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Third, RAB arrested Saidur Rahman Shahid alias Shahid Commissioner, a notorious criminal in Dhaka who identified himself as either an Awami League or Jatiya Party supporter. His group was involved in criminal activities, including murder, and extortion.

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I don`t know about you, but I see change. I see reforms by a government conscious that its credibility and survival will ultimately depend on its performance. The people are willing to give the benefit of the doubt, but want to see results in return: A visible change in the style of governance we have seen for the last two decades to ensure greater transparency, accountability, and development.

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The people hope to see better service delivery through honesty and efficiency more than anything else. Let us not forget that elections are not an end itself, but the means to an end.

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It is too early to say whether the government of the day can deliver such a tall order, but there is reason to be hopeful if morning shows the day. In the first month, the PM warned her colleagues that there would be zero tolerance to corruption.

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The Anti Corruption Commission is investigating top leaders of the governing party, including former ministers, for the dramatic increase in their wealth, allegedly by corruption. An arrest warrant was issued against a top leader of the AL in Chittagong.

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The PM and the Home Ministry have ensured AL student activists involved in Rajshahi violence are arrested to be brought to justice. Top criminals are being arrested, notwithstanding their political affiliations.

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These are undoubtedly positive steps, sending a strong and decisive message that there would be no protection to those involved in corruption and violence by a government determined to keep its popularity ratings high.

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Let us rise above our political bias to be impartial and objective, appreciating the government`s positive steps. If we remain silent for opportunistic and partisan reasons, will there be any incentive for this government (or for that matter any government) to continue undertaking people-oriented reforms?

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It is evident from the news items above that there is at least an effort for qualitative change in the style of governance for the better. Given the social and economic dynamics of our country, it is perhaps unrealistic that we will be able to wipe out corruption and violence entirely in the short-run, but the government must demonstrate the political will to crack down on the perpetrators irrespective of their political identity.

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The people are willing to give the newly elected government a chance, recognising that fully participatory elections do not necessarily guarantee any significant improvement in governance.

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And so far, the government has been highly responsive to public opinion. To me, this is a significant positive development for Bangladesh - our New Deal, indeed. They have not only sent a clear message that there will be no impunity for corruption and violence, but have also undertaken six mega projects in the very first cabinet meeting that will change the face of the country.

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If this trend of development and accountability continues, nothing could be a better deal for the nation. `Egiye jacche Bangladesh` (Bangladesh marching forward) can be a reality when our leaders (as well as civil society) put the nation over political expediency and personal interest. Let us keep our fingers crossed.

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(Sajib Arman is a political and security analyst. The article was originally published in the Dhaka Tribune, February 12, 2014. 

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