Let the talks Begin
Winter in Bangladesh with its balmy weather used to be a time for festivities. Gaye holud and marriages, date juice, pithas and winter vegetables, migratory birds from Siberia landing in droves on cool waters, hordes of Bangladeshi Diaspora from across the world flying in to revitalise their connection with their motherland made for a festive time.
Now we have, particularly in winter, cocktail bombs, hartals and blockades as New Year gifts to mar the mood of the nation.
How have we come to such an impasse?
Caretaker government (CTG) system has been declared unconstitutional by the apex court of the country. So how come BNP insists on restoration of this system? Yes, the apex court recommended two more elections under the CTG system. But as far as I understand, the executive branch of the government is not bound to accept a recommendation of the judiciary.
More importantly, did BNP read the mood of the electorate prior to the January 5, 2014 election? Five consecutive victories in the mayoral elections including that at Gazipur (an AL stronghold) should have made amply clear how the wind was blowing. AL was fearful of BNP's participation in the election and set a trap, and BNP just walked into it.
Why should the nation suffer for BNP's lack of foresightedness? Moreover, the destructive activities they are carrying out now, they did all that with much greater intensity last year but the government did not fall nor is it likely to fall this time.
So why not pause and think how to achieve the goals peacefully?
It is worth noting that mistrust in the CTG system started when the then BNP law minister (2001-2006) hit upon the brilliant idea of extending the retirement age of judges by two years so as to have a chief advisor of their choice. CTG is no panacea either. Just look at the situation in Pakistan now.
AL is no saint either. The way they are denying BNP to carry out its normal political activities is making a mockery of the term democracy.
This has to come to an end.
Ours is a nation with immense possibilities. The once-derided “international basket case” is now quoted for its achievements in microfinance to climate adaption, from human development indices to scaling mountains all over the world. Shakib and Salma top their respective cricket all-rounder lists. During the Rana Plaza tragedy, the most difficult rescue efforts were made by daring unpaid volunteers. Our youth is our greatest strength.
The solution to our current impasse will come through talks among the political parties and other stakeholders to arrive at a consensus on major national issues like empowering the Election Commission, national energy policy, sharing of river waters with India for all cross-border rivers etc.
Let the talks begin, and the ruling party needs to take the initiative to set the ball rolling.
The writer is a former BAEC and IAEA official.
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