Thoughts on a possible dialogue
THERE are three main points that can be discussed in a possible dialogue: (i) How the interim government that will conduct a national election can be formed; (ii) When the next election can be held; (iii) A way out of the current bloody turmoil.
Interim government
Let us not try to find eleven persons from the retired judges, professors, etc. because they are not elected by the people. Making them MPs using the parliament goes against the spirit of the apex court's decision when it declared caretaker government illegal.
A better idea came from PM Sheikh Hasina herself prior to the last election, namely, 5 MPs to be nominated by each party (ruling and opposition). It faltered when the PM insisted on heading it.
The dialogue can start using the PM's offer as a basis.
Since Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia are also heads of their respective parties, they should not be considered for the position of head of the interim government as it gives the person the opportunity to use the government machinery for party purposes.
The head should be selected from amongst the nominated MPs. Decisions should be taken on majority basis. The head should not have overriding power over majority decisions. An independent MP can be co-opted to fill the position left vacant by the head.
Next election
BNP would like to have the next election as soon as possible while AL would like to continue till 2019. But what do the people want? People enjoyed the relative peace of last one year. Elections are also expensive. I believe the people would like a breathing period of 2-3 years before the next election. I know this will not satisfy AL or BNP. Is there a way out?
Way out
The way out is to have a government of national unity for the next 2-3 years with rotating leadership between the two leaders. This is not a novel idea. Afghanistan adopted it recently.
The Sixth Parliament (1996) had a brief life of 12 days but passed the caretaker government legislation that brought peace to the country. Let the current Parliament pass legislation for the necessary changes to make way for the proposed government of national unity and then dissolve.
Ninety days before the next election the unity government will hand over power to the interim government. Since there will be no Parliament this time to choose MPs to form the interim government, a one-time exception has to be made. Let each party nominate 5 former MPs to create the first interim government.
One may question whether a unity government is possible. “We have no eternal allies, and we have no perpetual enemies. Our interests are eternal and perpetual, and those interests it is our duty to follow,” Lord Palmerstone. That eternal interest in our case is the well-being of the country and its people. Given the will and the determination, “Yes, we can” form a government of national unity. Let good sense prevail.
The writer is a former BAEC and IAEA official.
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