Awami League led by Sheikh Hasina is in power for more than 14 years. What is secret behind it? Answer many vary from man to man. The secret lies in her magic. In fact, the party prolongs its power relying on her unique, farsighted and prudent decision and political acumen.

That Sheikh Hasina is prudent has been manifested again in electing the 22nd President of the country. The whole nation was curious to know the person going to adorn the highest post of the state. The print and electronic media published various reports comprised of names of the potential candidates for the same. 

Jatiya Sangshad Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury and PM’s Economic Affairs Adviser Dr Mashiur Rahman topped the list. Awami League central leaders including the party’s general secretary Obaidul Quader were in the dark about new presidency.

On February 9, Obaidul Quader was busy with discussing various issues with ranks and files in party office.

Quoting the premier, he said a person neither MP nor bureaucrat will be the next President.

Quader asked Awami League Joint General Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim to speculate the person. Quader asked Nasim “Can you name the person?” Nasim could not. Even Obaidul Quader failed to figure out such person. None of the Awami League central leaders knew about the development till February 12 morning. Sheikh Hasina maintained top secrecy for strategic reason. Her political strategies have been confidential since 2009. Therefore, all decisions made by her were fruitful and opposition parties defeated. Awami League continues to remain in the hot seat rendering her stateswoman and world leader. The surprise of Sheikh Hasina needs no further introduction. She showed it on various occasions in last 14 years.

Ahead of 2018 parliamentary polls, Jatiya Oikya Front led by Dr Kamal Hossain was formed. The Front proposed to hold dialogue with her, the Prime Minister and ruling Awami League chief. They played a trick to cash the situation if PM rejects the proposal. They sent a letter to her seeking dialogue. Awami League leaders took the letter negatively taking stand against dialogue with opposition. Surprising all, the premier allowed all opposition parties except anti-liberation one to the dialogue held at her official residence Ganabhaban. Consequently, the polls participated by all parties made a record.

Following Covid-19 rollout in March 2020, Bangladesh like elsewhere enforced lockdown. Sheikh Hasina surprised the nation again. She released opposition BNP chief Khaleda Zia exercising the government’s executive power under Section 401 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. As a result, the former premier was allowed to live in her Gulshan house “Feroza” instead of jail. Later, it was learnt that Khaleda Zia’s younger brother went to Ganabhaban and requested the PM in this regard. Bangabandhu’s daughter made a unique precedence of humanity although Khaleda Zia patronised grenade attack on Awami League rally attended by Sheikh Hasina on August 21, 2004. The attack was aimed at not only eliminating Hasina from politics but also killing her. The release of Khaleda Zia on parole put her BNP leaders in awkward situation. Besides, ruling party leaders could not guess the magical decision. 

In 2015, Arafat Rahman Koko, younger son of military ruler Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia, died in Malaysia. That time, BNP was engaged in violent movement, arson attack and vandalism across the country to press home demand for cancellation of the results of 2014 general election and holding of fresh polls under non-party caretaker regime. Despite political upheaval, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina breaking protocol went to Gulshan to console Khaleda Zia. The BNP chief announced to stay at party office sine die. The main gate was shut on arrival of Hasina. Even the PM was not allowed to enter the house through pocket gate. The image of Sheikh Hasina reached a new high following the incident. The whole nation was stunned by uncourteous behaviour of Khaleda Zia and her personal staffs.

In 2014, the Prime Minister made a telephone call to BNP chief inviting her to a tea meeting at Ganabhaban. It was a surprise on the part of Sheikh Hasina and a turning point in Bangladesh’s politics. The common people were dead against BNP’s movement due to the bold step of the premier. In address to the nation, the PM proposed a cross-party interim cabinet to supervise the general election. Many BNP leaders believe that rejection of inclusive cabinet was a great mistake of their party.

In 2009, Awami League came to power for the second time. But the government was exposed to a great challenge due to BDR mutiny. Sheikh Hasina took a brave decision, went to Dhaka cantonment and addressed angry army officers at the Darbar Hall. She tackled the situation with cool brain. The then Agriculture Minister Matiya Chowdhury accompanied her. The incident manifested Hasina’s magic and bravery.

The last 14 years have evidenced many magical steps of Sheikh Hasina having deep political significance. It is like game of chess. An efficient player takes such strategic step which opposite party cannot guess. Similarly, Hasina does not share strategy with her party leaders to prevent the opposition from knowing it.

Ahead of 1/11 episode, Sheikh Hasina shared some decision with party men who disclosed it to others. Eventually, the strategy was foiled. She was cheated repeatedly, recasting her strategy. Now, she maintains top secrecy about political strategies. She gives surprise. Many people may be oblivious to justification of secrecy about the new presidency. It can be remembered that a quarter tried to malign the persons who made headlines as potential presidential candidates. The quarter spread controversies through social media to assassinate character of such persons. Had name of new President been disclosed, he would have been maligned. Besides, Awami League leaders tried to interfere in the decision of the party chief.

President is head of the state and symbol of sovereignty. Maligning him amounts to inflicting injury on the Constitution. It is prejudicial to the sovereignty. A desperate bid to criticise every step of the government and ruling party is not unknown to Hasina. So, she picked a person much qualified but less discussed for the post. Such surprising outcome is obviously great blow to the conspirators. It will be hard for the anti-state elements to fabricate any negative story about him. The surprising political strategies have granted Sheikh Hasina a stature of true philosopher. The BNP and its allies are mulling to wage movement ahead of the next parliamentary polls. The nation is optimistic about the PM’s another surprising card which will fend off all uncertainties.

(The writer is the Executive Director, Poriprekkhit)

Translated by M Firoz Al Mamun