One year left for the 12th National Parliament election that is why the government has to face ten challenges before this election and ruling party Awami League has to face these challenges to enter the field of the next election.
There are various challenges in front of the government now, there are various conspiracies. Talking to political analysts, economists and ex-bureaucrats, it is known that there are many big challenges in front of the government. Among these, 10 challenges should be emphasized in bold.
Those concern said, Launching and inauguration of mega projects, continuing the continuity of development, coordination in field administration, stability in educational and industrial areas, control of commodity prices, increase in agricultural production, countering the movement of opposition parties, restoring image in the international arena, maintaining law and order, overcoming economic recession, normal business and trade. To maintain the supply of dollars by opening LCs and suppressing militancy-terrorism, increasing surveillance in Rohingya refugee camps.
Prof Dr AK Azad Chowdhury, former vice chancellor of Dhaka University said, “There are many challenges for the government this year. In order to face these challenges, not only the government, but also the people, all cooperation is needed.”
“The trust of the people, the trust of the opposition party, the efficiency of the government - these should be thought of the country and the people should be thought of. Only then will we be able to face many future challenges,” he said.
Government policy makers said that due to the Ukraine-Russia war, the price of fuel has increased in the world market. Due to this, the prices of daily necessities including food items have increased. People should be kept happy by keeping commodity prices stable this year in view of the National Parliament elections. If the prices of daily commodities are not controlled, it may have an impact on the National Assembly elections. Again, the government has to overcome the global economic recession.
On December 10 last year, the BNP did not succeed in occupying Dhaka because of the activism of the government and Awami League. But the opposition alliance including BNP is preparing to go to a one-sided movement from March of the new year. It should also be controlled with a firm hand. As repression cannot be done, their movement must be strategically controlled by the government.
Obaidul Quader, General Secretary of Awami League, Minister of Road Transport and Bridges told Bangladesh Pratidin, “At the beginning of next year, the national parliament election will be held. We have many challenges ahead of this election. Among them, to keep the development projects running, to keep the market situation under control, to win the votes by winning the hearts of the people.”
“The government has the ability to face whatever challenges come before it. Because Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina is running the country. He works for the people of the country. He understands the language of people's minds. He succeeds and will succeed in all situations with skill, integrity, courage and experience,” he added.
As a result of the Awami League government being in power for a long time, unprecedented development is going on in the country. Many priority projects of the government have already been completed. Many works will be completed this year. It is said that the government has no plans to take up any new project unless it is very necessary due to the global economic situation.
But the big challenge is to finish the projects which are in progress quickly. Because, if the developments are visible, than these projects will be the electoral trump card of Awami League in the next election. Bangabandhu Karnaphuli Tunnel will be opened this year.
This year, the train will run on the Padma bridge, mega projects like the third terminal of the airport, Dhaka Elevated Expressway, BRT will be inaugurated. Khulna-Mongla Rail Project, Chittagong-Cox's Bazar Rail Project work. Rangpur-Dhaka four lane highway.
Metrorail will be started this year till Motijheel. A total of six multi-lines of Metrorail are targeted to be completed by 2030, Dhaka-Sylhet four-lane project, Dhaka-Ashulia Elevated Expressway, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Rail Bridge project over Jamuna River are also under construction.
Ending these projects will be one of the goals of the current government. The current government should continue the ongoing development.
Several sources of the government said, because of the National Parliament election at the beginning of next year, the field administration will have to show great skill. Deploying character changing bureaucrats wherever possible can be a boomerang for the current government. That is why the right person should be appointed. Again, there should be proper coordination with the field administration.
As it is an election year, stable environment in education is considered as an important issue. The government should keep a watchful eye so that the educational environment is not destabilized in any way.
At the same time, the opponents of the government can take steps to destabilize the government by creating various issues in various industrial areas. That situation must also be controlled with a firm hand. If there is no stable environment in the industrial sector, the country's economy may suffer.
The opposition party alliance including BNP will go towards a one-sided movement to topple the government from next March.
The powerful countries of the world want to see the participation of all in the 12th national parliament elections. Controlling the movement of the opposition parties and participating in the elections is also a big challenge in front of the government. A certain section, including the opposition parties, has engaged in propaganda to discredit the government internationally.
At the same time, they are making various allegations against the governments of the donor countries including the governments of the human rights and democracy.
For these reasons, the United States has already issued sanctions against some law enforcement officials. The government has to restore its image in the international arena. Apart from this, keeping the law and order situation under control is an important challenge of the government.
To keep the wheels of the economy moving, the government has to take all steps to ensure that business and trade can be done properly. Especially in the global recession, the importers are facing difficulties as they cannot open LCs as per the demand due to the dollar crisis. The government should provide dollar support so that it can be done according to the market demand.
The prime minister herself has been saying since last year that there may be a food crisis in the world this year. That is why he urged the countrymen not to leave any land vacant. He advised to plant vegetables not only on the land but also on the empty space in the yard of the house. That is why the government has to take appropriate steps to meet the food shortage.
The rise of militancy and terrorism is another major obstacle for the government to maintain a stable environment. After the Awami League government came to power, no one claimed that the zero tolerance policy against militancy resulted in the rise of militancy, if not its eradication. That is why steps should be taken to prevent the rise of militancy and terrorism in the country keeping the national elections in front.
The issue of Rohingyas has to be kept in mind before the National Assembly elections. Because they can engage in any type of work if they get money. A gang is looking to exploit Rohingyas. However, the local administration should be strict in this regard.
Strict surveillance should be increased in Rohingya camps. The current government has announced a zero tolerance policy against corruption. But cases of corruption are happening.
A perception is being spread that some individuals, officials are punished for corruption but the real corrupt people are out of touch. In this reality, in the end, the public is questioning how successful the government has been in fighting corruption. And the government has to move forward keeping all this in front.
It remains to be seen how the government tackles these challenges.
@The news was published on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on January 4 and rewritten in English by Tanvir Raihan
