It is because of such a disappointing legacy that the two parties must now go seriously into the question of internal party reforms, without which the future state of democracy will have little encouraging or promising about it. Sheikh Hasina and her party colleagues have encouragingly made it clear in recent weeks that they are in principle inclined to reforms. Moreover, there have been clear pro-reform voices within the AL itself; and one can refer to some recent comments by such individuals as Suranjit Sengupta and Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim voicing their support for such reforms. It may be pointed out that the 31-point proposals made by the AL-led grand alliance before the imposition of the state of emergency in January this year also referred to reforms, basically relating to the Election Commission, the alliance envisaged in national politics. Very significantly, civil society has in the last many months emphatically advocated the need for democratic change within the parties as a way of ensuring credible general elections and a stable democratic order.

Despite the immediacy attached to the reforms factor, however, Begum Zia is yet to state her views on the issue. Indeed, the recent elevation of her sibling to a top position in the BNP appears to have put a question mark on thoughts of reforms in her party. Such an attitude cannot be helpful. The BNP, as also the other political players on the scene, must regard the present situation as a wake up call. Ignoring the new realities in politics will mean pursuing the old regression all over again.