Use a thorn to remove a thorn (to remain in the throne). Politics of convenience is a cheap tactic used by political parties all over the world. Strange bedfellows gather together to keep the opponents at bay. The political hate campaign in Metropolis Dhaka has reached the breaking-point stage. Now we are facing another crisis period after those seen in 1947, 1971 and 1990.

Our political culture or system is choked full of garbage, as seen in the DCC garbage and anti-drainage empire in Dhaka. Nothing works unless some bleeding method is used (like sucking out the snake poison). Anemic leaders are facing shortage of political blood banks. Who will offer blood to bad politics?

The recent bombing of the AL meeting in Dhaka on August 21 revealed how our governance is totally out of date in tackling the modern evils creeping into the society from all directions, internal and external. Techniques to motivate the citizens have to be changed for quick response, cooperation and confidence-building. Even president Bush of the United States is having problems reading the future in Iraq.

A basic question arise: who are (besides the chamchas) advising the government (cabinet). The feedback system and the inputs (for policy makers) have to be reformed for instant hits in these fast-changing situations.

Our emergency health service failed to cope with the mass bombing victims; and our intelligence network failed utterly to read the dangers looming in political meets. Politics has reached the breaking point stage, and its very life expectancy is in doubt (note the eternal silence on the urea factory arms smuggling case).

Million-dollar question: Can the politicians run the country during the next five years? the majority doubt, but few express publicly. A survey might reveal that the majority have lost confidence in the current political culture prevailing in the country since 1991. It does not work, and complicates the situation in every sphere of the society, starting with corrupt practices and indiscipline, leading to violence and terrorism. Governance is on the wrong track, with huge systems losses in the civil service. No action or confession!

When honest people are terrified, that is the end of governance (taking a long-term view). The regime has to take immediate policy decisions to meet this crisis of confidence. It goes beyond the Aug 21 attack. Both the major political parties are facing credibility tests. How the alliance has generated better governance? Tell the people.

We need more professional approach than political gimmicks in the Secretariat; as the five dozen ministers have to demonstrate visible results of their ability to sit in the chairs they are occupying. There is an unholy lust for power and wielding of (questionable) influence, but it has to be backed up by background qualification and experience, and playing the game according to accepted and tested rules.