AL lawmakers' outburst

The impassioned manner in which ruling Awami League lawmakers have raised questions of public sufferings and grilled ministers in the Jatiyo Sangsad in recent days is certainly welcome and clearly a matter of relief for the nation. That they have finally begun to focus on such issues nearly three years into their term as parliamentarians is appreciable, though one is tempted to ask why they desisted from doing the same till now. The MPs' ire at the patent inability of the government to handle such issues as roads, power, prices of essentials, et cetera, is a clear sign of desperation on their part. In the face of mounting criticism of the government's failure to satisfy public expectations, the lawmakers have found it extremely difficult to face their constituents. They have acknowledged as much, which obviously reflects on the government and raises a number of questions regarding governance or the lack of it. The MPs' sentiments are also, sadly, an indication of the growing chasm between them and ministers content to mouth platitudes at every opportunity.
The outbursts in the JS are a message, loud and clear, for the prime minister. It is that she and her government cannot ignore the writing on the wall. One would have expected a well-meaning cabinet reshuffle in these three years. Much has been said about badly performing ministers, but why have they not been relieved of their responsibilities? The prime minister must listen to her party lawmakers' cries of desperation if disaster is not to pile up for her party and for her government. One does not need much wisdom to know that ruling party constituencies, indeed all constituencies across the country, have been getting a raw deal owing to the glaring instances of bad governance. That is a sign of danger, hinting at the distance now developing between the government and the people.
It is time for hard, concrete action. People need much more than reassurances and promises. If the centre cannot hold, if things fall apart, it is not just the government but the country as well that will fast approach the abyss. Let the prime minister pull her government firmly back on course.