Nagorik Shakti
Encyclopedia
Nagorik Shakti was a proposed political party
in Bangladesh
. It was conceived in by 2006 Nobel Peace Prize
winner Muhammad Yunus
. "Nagorik Shakti" means "Citizen's Power". Yunus communicated his ideas to the people of the nation and asked for feedbacks by writing a total of three letters addressed to the citizens in the prominent national daily The Daily Star
. Yunus discontinued his venture in 2007 citing lack of interested eligible candidates.
. Most top politicians, including former Prime Ministers
Khaleda Zia
and Sheikh Hasina
were imprisoned on corruption charges, and a state of emergency
existed. Hence, to counter the rampant corruption in politics, Yunus proposed a political party run by clean honest people.
, Justice Muhammad Habibur Rahman, Dr Kamal Hossain
, Matiur Rahman
, Mahfuz Anam
and Debapriya Bhattchariya
, participated in a campaign for honest and clean candidates in national elections. He considered entering politics in the later part of that year.
. In the letter, he called on everyone to briefly outline how he should go about the task and how they can contribute to it.
The organization of Nagorik Shakti was to be mostly based on the rural areas of Bangladesh: the villages. It was assumed that there will be 20 working people, and hoped that the parties will avoid going down the path of the more unruly elements in Bangladeshi politics by avoiding formal showdown such as public meetings, preferring instead to convince the electorate by proclaiming facts. Each unit should have 50% female worker-supporter and must have at least 33%. Ideally, females and young people should be among the party's key players. Each team or group must be able to nominate others to higher positions and this practice should be carried on right up to constituency level. Party expenses will be covered by its members.
Yunus intended his party to run for all 300 constituencies during the 2008 parliamentary elections.
—the pioneering microcredit
lender he founded in 1976. He has stated that he will reduce his involvement with the Bank, and that no Grameen Bank executives will be involved with the party.
Then Former Premier Sheikh Hasina
expressed her displeasure over Yunus joining politics, saying, "Newcomers in politics are dangerous elements and are to be viewed with suspicion, they often do more harm to the nation than good."
Mufti Aminee, one of the former four-party alliance leaders was even less charitable in his views on the Professor, saying "Dr. Yunus is an enemy of the country, nation and Islam."
.
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
. It was conceived in by 2006 Nobel Peace Prize
Nobel Peace Prize
The Nobel Peace Prize is one of the five Nobel Prizes bequeathed by the Swedish industrialist and inventor Alfred Nobel.-Background:According to Nobel's will, the Peace Prize shall be awarded to the person who...
winner Muhammad Yunus
Muhammad Yunus
Muhammad Yunus is a Bangladeshi economist and founder of the Grameen Bank, an institution that provides microcredit to help its clients establish creditworthiness and financial self-sufficiency. In 2006 Yunus and Grameen received the Nobel Peace Prize...
. "Nagorik Shakti" means "Citizen's Power". Yunus communicated his ideas to the people of the nation and asked for feedbacks by writing a total of three letters addressed to the citizens in the prominent national daily The Daily Star
The Daily Star (Bangladesh)
The Daily Star is the largest circulating English daily newspaper in Bangladesh. Established by Syed Mohammed Ali in 14 January 1991, the newspaper is owned by Mediastar a venture of the Transcom Group, headed by Latifur Rahman...
. Yunus discontinued his venture in 2007 citing lack of interested eligible candidates.
Political situation of Bangladesh
Bangladeshi politics was marred by instability, especially during the turmoil of 2006-082006–2008 Bangladeshi political crisis
The 2006–2008 Bangladeshi political crisis began in October 2006 when a caretaker government — designated by the constitution to oversee the vote — assumed power without exhausting the provisions of selection of Chief of Caretaker government at the end of October. Its purpose was to steer the...
. Most top politicians, including former Prime Ministers
Prime Minister of Bangladesh
The Prime Minister of the People's Republic of Bangladesh is the Head of the Government of Bangladesh. The Prime Minister and the Cabinet are collectively accountable for their policies and actions to the Jatiya Sangsad Parliament, to their political party and ultimately to the electorate...
Khaleda Zia
Khaleda Zia
Begum Khaleda Zia is the former First Lady of Bangladesh , and then Prime Minister of Bangladesh, having served from 1991 to 1996, becoming the first woman in the country's history and second in the Muslim world to head a democratic government as prime minister. She served again from 2001 until...
and Sheikh Hasina
Sheikh Hasina
Sheikh Hasina is a Bangladeshi politician and current Prime Minister of Bangladesh. She has been the President of the Awami League, a major political party, since 1981. She is the eldest of five children of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father of Bangladesh and widow of a reputed nuclear...
were imprisoned on corruption charges, and a state of emergency
State of emergency
A state of emergency is a governmental declaration that may suspend some normal functions of the executive, legislative and judicial powers, alert citizens to change their normal behaviours, or order government agencies to implement emergency preparedness plans. It can also be used as a rationale...
existed. Hence, to counter the rampant corruption in politics, Yunus proposed a political party run by clean honest people.
History
In early 2006 Yunus, along with other members of the civil society including Professor Rehman SobhanRehman Sobhan
Rehman Sobhan is a prominent Bangladeshi economist and civil society leader. He played a leading role in the Bengali nationalist movement in the 1960s, including authoring the Two Economies Theory and drafting the Six point demands of Bengali nationalists...
, Justice Muhammad Habibur Rahman, Dr Kamal Hossain
Kamal Hossain
Dr. Kamal Hossain , born on 20 April 1937, is a notable Bangladeshi politician, statesman and lawyer. He is credited as being one of the principal authors of the Constitution of Bangladesh.- Education :...
, Matiur Rahman
Matiur Rahman (journalist)
Matiur Rahman is the editor of Daily Prothom Alo, the largest circulated Bangla language daily in Bangladesh. He is the recipient of the 2005 Ramon Magsaysay Award for journalism, Literature and Creative Communication Arts.-Early life:...
, Mahfuz Anam
Mahfuz Anam
Mahfuz Anam is an editor and publisher of Daily Star, one of Bangladesh's mainstream English language newspapers. He is also the publisher of "Weekly 2000", a prominent weekly newsletter from Bangladesh as well as "Anandadhara", a popular entertainment fortnightly of the country...
and Debapriya Bhattchariya
Debapriya Bhattchariya
Debapriya Bhattacharya is an economist from Bangladesh and the executive director of the CPD, Dhaka.-Life and Education:Debapriya Bhattcharya studied at St. Gregory's High School, Dhaka and Dhaka College, Dhaka. He did his M.Sc. in Economics with distinction. He obtained his Ph.D. from the...
, participated in a campaign for honest and clean candidates in national elections. He considered entering politics in the later part of that year.
The First Letter
On 11 February 2007, Yunus wrote an open letter, published in the Bangladeshi newspaper Daily Star, where he asked citizens for views on his plan to float a political party to establish political goodwill, proper leadership and good governanceGovernance
Governance is the act of governing. It relates to decisions that define expectations, grant power, or verify performance. It consists of either a separate process or part of management or leadership processes...
. In the letter, he called on everyone to briefly outline how he should go about the task and how they can contribute to it.
Unveiling
Yunus finally announced the foundation of a new party tentatively called Citizens' Power (Nagorik Shakti) on 18 February 2007. There was speculation that the army supported a move by Yunus into politics.The Second Letter
The second letter written by Yunus addressed to the citizens expressed his interests to join politics, outlining the foundations and principles of the party, a detailed organizational structure for the grassroots of the party, and featured addresses to women, the young, and the expatriates.Motto and Principles
Bangladesh egiye cholo or "March Ahead, Bangladesh" was to be the theme title of the movement, as declared in the second letter to the people. Among its aims is the reinstatement of a secular constitution as well as gains in female empowerment and the fight against poverty and corruption. It will attempt to appoint capable leaders with a commitment to honest governance and accountability. Dr. Yunus intended to make Bangladesh an economical check-point in South Asia by opening up its ports and establishing global ties.Organization
Yunus outlined the organizational structure of the party through his second letter to the people.The organization of Nagorik Shakti was to be mostly based on the rural areas of Bangladesh: the villages. It was assumed that there will be 20 working people, and hoped that the parties will avoid going down the path of the more unruly elements in Bangladeshi politics by avoiding formal showdown such as public meetings, preferring instead to convince the electorate by proclaiming facts. Each unit should have 50% female worker-supporter and must have at least 33%. Ideally, females and young people should be among the party's key players. Each team or group must be able to nominate others to higher positions and this practice should be carried on right up to constituency level. Party expenses will be covered by its members.
Yunus intended his party to run for all 300 constituencies during the 2008 parliamentary elections.
Conflict of interest with Grameen Bank
Yunus wants to avoid accusations of conflict of interest between his role in Shakti and with the Grameen BankGrameen Bank
The Grameen Bank is a microfinance organization and community development bank started in Bangladesh that makes small loans to the impoverished without requiring collateral...
—the pioneering microcredit
Microcredit
Microcredit is the extension of very small loans to those in poverty designed to spur entrepreneurship. These individuals lack collateral, steady employment and a verifiable credit history and therefore cannot meet even the most minimal qualifications to gain access to traditional credit...
lender he founded in 1976. He has stated that he will reduce his involvement with the Bank, and that no Grameen Bank executives will be involved with the party.
Reactions in the political arena
Right from its inception, the party has caused quite a stir in political circles. Though many political leaders initially remained tight-lipped, some expressed their bitterness regarding the party.Then Former Premier Sheikh Hasina
Sheikh Hasina
Sheikh Hasina is a Bangladeshi politician and current Prime Minister of Bangladesh. She has been the President of the Awami League, a major political party, since 1981. She is the eldest of five children of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father of Bangladesh and widow of a reputed nuclear...
expressed her displeasure over Yunus joining politics, saying, "Newcomers in politics are dangerous elements and are to be viewed with suspicion, they often do more harm to the nation than good."
Mufti Aminee, one of the former four-party alliance leaders was even less charitable in his views on the Professor, saying "Dr. Yunus is an enemy of the country, nation and Islam."
The Third Letter
On 3 May, however, Yunus declared that he had decided to abandon his political plans following a meeting with the head of the interim government, Fakhruddin AhmedFakhruddin Ahmed
Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed is a noted Bangladeshi economist, civil servant, and a former governor of the Bangladesh Bank, the country's central bank...
.
External links
- Nagorik Shakti - Election Campaign Website