Nations are often condemned to live through the hypocrisy and perfidy of their political classes. Time was when both the Awami League and the BNP waged an intense struggle to have General Ershad driven from power. They succeeded, in late 1990, and then went about making him pay for his sins.
It now appears that Ershad’s sins, ranging from his extra-constitutional seizure of power to administrative corruption to questions of plain morality, have now gone through expiation. A few years ago, the former military dictator was spotted sitting at the feet of Begum Zia at a public rally. He then changed sides, swiftly going over to Sheikh Hasina. For a man who should have been a closed chapter in politics, Ershad has done well. His dreams, like his age, are constantly leaping ahead.
And now comes the climax. Ershad’s old enemies now have given him a cult status, almost along religious lines, over the Gazipur City Corporation elections. Both mayoral candidates — the AL’s Ajmat Ullah Khan and the BNP’s M.A. Mannan — have sought and obtained Ershad’s blessings. Think back on Ershad’s good old days, when the military ruler, sycophants and hangers-on in tow, made regular trips to the pir of Atroshi. Think of that other pir, he of Sayedabad, whose talcum powder product was once praised to the skies by political turncoats and their toadies.
Today, in his avatar as the new pir of politics, Ershad relishes his moment in the ancient sun. Ajmat and Mannan rush to him, as Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia bite their nails in nervous anticipation of the outcome. But everything ends well. Both candidates emerge smiling, almost beatifically, from his presence. His holiness — former soldier, one-time dictator, lapsed poet — has had the palm of his hand touch their bowed heads in blessing. Lo and behold! They have seen the beauty of the Lord!
Lord, what fools these politicians be! Sorry, Shakespeare, about the mangling of a word.

The writer is Executive Editor, The Daily Star.