It should be mentioned here that the burning question has been raised in a meeting of civil society sponsored by CPD, Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, though in the meantime some acclaimed columnists have heaved the query touching the point of equity in case of CPD, for, to them, being an NGO, the CPD cannot involve itself in our politics rather it can provide a plan executing which the country would be benefited much socially and economically. To this point, I would like to mention that wishing amelioration of the country's problem by NGOs should not be objected but the only point they should be remembered is that if they engage in our politics there would be a great possibility of losing their neutrality and then their role of improving the life of the masses would be disturbed.

However, now our suffering nation with the slur of being the most corrupt severely realises the necessity of electing honest candidates in the national election. There is a popular proverb that it is easy to say but difficult to do. There is no as well as must not be any question regarding the fact that the issue raised in the voice of the civil society is the most serious one upon which the future of the country largely depends.

In the past three national elections we have observed that the dishonest candidates spent even more than 5 crore taka violating the existing rule of expenditure set by the election commission that permits to spend only 5 lakh taka per candidate for electioneering and ironically it is a very common phenomenon in respect of every political party. And after winning in the polls the law makers step forward aiming at compensating their expenses in the election and try to increase their profit like businessmen. The only difference between a businessman and a politician of our country, to me, is that there is a risk of losing something by a businessman while a politician is a profit gainer either sooner or later!

Our politicians very often air in the public meeting that they are practising of politics only for the interest of the general people and that they have nothing to gain and they are always ready to sacrifice even their lives for the land and so on! Despite that we are now one of the poorest and ill-fated nations in the world. What a pity for us!

Again, I come to the focal point. It is needless to mention that without electing 'clean candidate' we cannot expect a 'clean parliament' and a 'clean government' and without having a 'clean government' it would be like building a castle in the air to have a prosperous and developed country expected by the common people for years and for which the freedom fighters laid down their lives. But where and how we will get 'clean' candidates when most of our politicians are supposed to be dishonest, unclean and corrupted? This is another very important question concerning the fact without solving which the agenda would be futile.

I personally thank the authority concerned for pushing such a burning issue ahead of the national election 2007 and at the same time I feel extremely frustrated realising the fact that in such a critical situation the think tanks shall not be able to present 'clean' candidates instead of those having little patriotic feeling in the core of their hearts. Despite that the attempt would be an excellent introduction and revolt in the arena of "dirty politics' and I conclude voicing with PB Shelly :

"If winter comes, can spring be far behind?"

Abul Kalam Azad is a teacher.