A positive signal to build up on

BANGLADESH Nationalist Party (BNP) has expressed its willingness to join the 12th session of the Jatiya Sangsad (JS) provided the ruling Awami League (AL) ensures congenial atmosphere in parliament.
Its positive intent is welcome in the backdrop of its continual boycott of parliament.
We would again reiterate our stand that all issues of national interest must be discussed in parliament. Questioning the wisdom of the opposition's long-drawn absence from the JS, we did also repeatedly remind its lawmakers that parliament is the house of the people, and not of the government. By being elected, they are obliged to represent their constituents in particular and the people in general as the elected opposition party.
We want to ask the question what the BNP has gained by keeping away from the JS for a better part of the last three years.
Conversely, what has the ruling party gained by not accepting a single proposed bill or suggestion from the opposition? What has it gained by its harsh language and aggressive stance against the opposition?
Altogether, has the nation benefited from the continued parliamentary impasse? Can it even get the benefits of a parliament if the present impasse continues?
For the BNP's part, what started out as one-point seat allotment issue has escalated into a nine-point demand they tagged as their condition to join the parliament. It is time they rethought their position in greater national interest.
At the same time, the Awami League has to demonstrate necessary tolerance and restraint and refrain from making any provocative remarks against the opposition lawmakers and thereby provide them with fresh excuse to slink into the old culture of boycotting parliament.
As the majority party in the House, the Awami League has the greater responsibility to engage the opposition in parliament.
Both the ruling party and the opposition should use this new opening to break the ongoing impasse and render the JS functional.