When BNP is in power, Awami League (AL) boycotts the parliament, and almost in identical manner BNP remains outside the House when AL is in power. This cannot be a good sign for the country's fledgling democracy. There is urgent need for an end to this practices. That is why teeming millions of the country on one hand and the development partners on the other have been keeping watchful eyes on the next elections in early 2007.

It is being questioned in different forums whether and to what extent the parliament has been delivering the goods in absence of the opposition. The daily expenditure when it is in session, is also quite big. The people have a right to know whether their elected representatives are doing the job for which they were elected.

The opposition, instead of participating in parliamentary proceedings, resorts to street agitation and enforces general strikes, causing paralyzing effects on the economy and disruption of normal life. The loss of the economy for a day's countrywide strike has been quantified to the tune of millions of dollars. Investors shift their business from Bangladesh and new investments are discouraged following such disruptive programs over the years.

In this backdrop, the development partners of Bangladesh like the US and the EU have been showing concern over the country's confrontational politics. They have been issuing statements following talks

with major political parties, including the BNP-led ruling alliance and the AL-led opposition combine to turn the parliament into an useful forum for resolving all disputes between the ruling party and the mainstream opposition.

Recently US Assistant Secretary of State Christina Rocca and four-member EU delegation headed by Nikolaus Scherk, Director for Asia, representing the European Commission, were here for spot assessment of the prevailing situation. The statements made by them reflected identical views as regards the confrontational politics of the country and importance of the next elections for strengthening democracy.

Rocca said, "Parts of reason that the elections next year are so critical are that only a level playing field and elections that are free and fair will give the winners legitimacy. We hope that all parties will be able to work together. The continuation and successful holding of next election is very important for Bangladesh."

They are quite familiar with the prevailing confrontational politics in the country. The remarks made by Rocca and those of Scherk were carefully formulated as they have merely echoed the concern and attitude of the countries they represent.

The EU delegation in its statement described the next elections as a key milestone for democracy in Bangladesh. The EU delegation concluding its three-day visit said, "Peaceful, free and fair election in 2007 would send an important signal to the international community that a durable democracy is being cultivated in Bangladesh. The EU team emphasized the need for holding of polls on schedule for the country's stability with full participation of all parties. Caretaker government and the constitutional office of an independent and impartial Election Commission are principal guarantors for free and fair elections." The fight against corruption and the need for improvement of governance were also stressed.

The quarrels and conflicts between the two major political parties create the opportunities for others to get involved, or in other words, intervene in our domestic matters. No self-respecting person can take such remarks or observations by others about the country's domestic politics in good spirit.

It is being asked whether and for how long our political leaders would welcome prescriptions from outsiders for resolving our domestic matters. Is it not shameful for us to be told by others to become tolerant and find solutions to conflicts through participation in parliamentary proceedings sitting together?

Meanwhile, the Tuesday Group, an informal caucus of the diplomatic missions of donor countries, which was formed on the eve of general elections in 2001, has reportedly been given the government's green signal to hold its much talked about conference on conditions that reforms of the caretaker government provision or Election Commission, would not be discussed. The AL led combine has been raising demands for the reforms of the caretaker government provision as well as Election Commission.

The conference could discuss matters relating to technical aspects of holding free and fair polls. A lot of noise was raised between the Tuesday Group and the government over it.

The question which is being asked in different circles whether the reforms of the existing caretaker government provision of the constitution and the issue of Election Commission, would be resolved during the time of the present government or left for the next government, remains to be seen. Under the caretaker provision of the constitution, the country has witnessed three polls, which have been widely lauded at home and abroad as free and fair.

The ruling alliance has been pressing for participation of the AL in the parliament to raise whatever they want including the issues like caretaker government and Election Commission inside the House. How these issues are resolved by the ruling alliance and the mainstream opposition, still remains unclear.

Both the ruling BNP and the mainstream opposition AL should sit together and help devise mechanism so that none could raise questions about credibility of the next polls. Both sides need to cultivate the culture of accepting defeat in elections in good grace. In the past those defeated, brought allegations of "rigging" against the winner.

The moves of both parties are keenly watched not only by the people at home but also by the development partners. The inner message of the remarks made by the US senior State Department official and the EU delegation should be kept in mind by both the BNP-led alliance and the AL-led combine who have ruled the country alternatively and intend to do so also in near future.

Nurul Huda is a Special Correspondent of BSS.