Major parties at odds
Willing to talk, unwilling to take move
(May 10, 2012)

So, the nation is again heading towards an unknown destination, more dangerously than before.
Abul Kashem

Awami League must understand that it will not be able to remain in power forever without credible elections. Or it should be ready for huge public anger against its totalitarian practices.
Shimul

We think this is the time to overcome the crisis the nation is facing. The way the General Secretaries of the two parties have expressed their views has made us hopeful.
Abul, UK

The civil society should come forward and invite both the parties for a political dialogue. I feel that this impasse may be broken by some civil society organisations. It is in the best interest of the country that someone should come forward.
Amdem, USA

Who will bell the cat if the major parties are willing to talk but unwilling to make a move? Our political parties have no trust in civil society, then who else can do it?
Sengupta, Canada

Our leaders need to show statesmanship. They have no right to push the country into turmoil and uncertainty. History tells us that the result will not be good. I would encourage the media and the civil society to step in and invite both political parties to some kind of dialogue.
Hasan

Who is more responsible for restoring peace in our country -- the government or the opposition? We have experienced 1/11 due to the fact that the then government did not take positive decision on time. The fact is without the participation of BNP the election will not be credible. The government and the opposition should decide how to hold a credible election to restore peace in our society.
Mizan

I fail to accept the allegation of the opposition that the present state of affairs has been created by the government and therefore it is their responsibility to initiate the dialogue and resolve the issue. I would only request the opposition politicians to look back on the past days when the last election results were declared. Since then the opposition has adopted the politics of non-cooperation including boycott of parliament and they even can not tell us what is their plan about the caretaker government.
Upfront

Political dialogue to end the impasse is a critical necessity, as the next general election is not far off. In fact, besides the opposition, the countrymen had long been demanding the need for such talks, and now the international community has stepped in. We feel that since the ball is in the court of the present Awami League (AL) government, it is desirable that the AL initiates the talks by inviting its counterpart either inside or outside parliament upon. But before such dialogue, the AL-led government has to publicly declare its support for the caretaker government system. In the absence of trust, and to avoid foul play, this commitment has to come.
Iftikhar-ul-Awwal