Not-so-amicable second round
It was good to see the second round of talks between the ruling coalition and Oikyafront held in an amicable atmosphere. But the much hoped-for political solutions remain a distant hope and the sticking points remain a stumbling block towards further understanding between the two major political groupings. Of the 7-point Oikyafront demand, the talks have stumbled on three points: dissolution of the parliament, polls-time government and release of Khaleda Zia. On these points the two major political groups are not any closer than they had been at the start of the dialogues.
Admittedly, the issue of the release of Khaleda Zia is a matter for the court to decide and thus, on the face of it, beyond the purview of the government. The other two—dissolution of the parliament and the polls-time government—are constitutional. The AL has stuck to its position that it would not go beyond the Constitution in addressing the demand of parliament dissolution and polls-time government. However, we feel that at least the status of the parliament before and during the elections is addressed in Article 123 (3) of the Constitution, which states that, "A general election of the members of Parliament shall be held (a) in the case of a dissolution by reason of the expiration of its term, within the period of ninety days preceding such dissolution; and (b) in the case of a dissolution otherwise than by reason of such expiration, within ninety days after such dissolution".
While respecting the government's position of not going outside the Constitution, it could easily have accepted this demand of the Oikyafront. Hence, political rather than constitutional considerations determined the position of the ruling coalition.
Understanding on political matters is also a matter of goodwill and good intentions. And that is what should be manifest in the actions of the interlocutors. Otherwise, prospect of a peaceful election is fraught with uncertainty, which we can ill afford.
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