Are we in a polarized kind of politics? Why criticize Hon Bashe for his fight for democratic values?

My opinions in regard to the reaction of members from opposition over Hon Bashe’s intention to submit a private motion in the parliament on the current state of affairs in Tanzania.

For my fellow Engineers and Scientists allow me to stray a bit off the scientific definition of the word polarization. Some terminologies mean something different depending on the vantage point you anchor your perspective from. In this case I am looking at our kind of politics.

Borrowing from Wikipedia polarization in politics refers to the divergence of political attitude to ideological extremes. Polarization can refer to such divergence like public opinion or even to such divergence within certain groups.

Wikipedia further says, “Polarization involves creating division or causing a group or something to be divided up into two opposing groups. An example of polarization is when a controversial political figure causes the country to become sharply divided.”

My quick evaluation tells me that our politics currently is more polarized than at any other time since we assumed plural politics. Nothing matters any more than defining ourselves on the bases of political camps. What you say to me doesn’t make more sense than the political camp you belong. This is the dead end of politics, and it is a dangerous state!

Few days ago I picked from social media that Hon Hussein Bashe have written a letter to the parliament expressing his intention to submit a motion that will require the parliament to form a special committee to probe into recent events of violation of human rights, denial of political space to political parties and the narrowed freedom of expression (my own translation – not exactly as presented by Hon Bashe).

Many have expressed different views to Bashe’s move. It was astounding to read especially from colleagues of opposition that Bashe is hypocritical.
A hypocrite is a person who pretends what s/he isn’t. Normally a hypocrite presents herself as a person of certain high caliber or standard while actually she is not. Those of us opposing Bashe would applaud if this letter (with the same contents and materiality) was written by an MP from opposition! Many agree from all works life including us from CCM that the situation in our country in regard to the issues presented by Hon Bashe isn’t good, “Things are no longer at ease”.
We somehow also agree that we need to arrest the situation pretty quickly.

This being the case why then antagonize Bashe just on the bases of of his political following? Why can’t we evaluate his motion purely on merits, i.e why can’t we evaluate Bashe’s intention on the bases of the reality on the concerns we have on political space, freedom of expression, and the blatant violation of human rights?

Irrespective of our political polarities why can’t we see and appreciate the courage demonstrated by Hussein Bashe of coming out distinctly from the mainstream of our party to tell it like it is?

I can’t fathom a befitting theory than to say our kind of politics have entered into a polarization state. A stage where what matters is someone’s political following and not the ideals s/he stands for. We don’t even care about the sacrifice Bashe has made by coming out in contravention of our political party mainstream.

Finally woe unto those fomenting polarization into our politics. They think they are doing a service to our country while they at the epicenter of destroying our country similar to those few we are concerned with.

Mbarikiwe sana
Na Mwenyezi Mungu awatie nguvu wote mnaomlilia kwa ajili ya ustawi wa nchi yetu.