Deal with Jamaat?

Two lawmakers from Workers Party and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, components of the Awami League-led ruling alliance, yesterday hinted in parliament that there might be a move behind the curtain to strike a deal with Jamaat-e-Islami in the prevailing political situation.
“There are some issues which are non-negotiable. But now non-negotiable issues are being negotiated,” JSD lawmaker Mayeenuddin Khan Badal said referring to the court verdict in Jamaat leader Quader Mollah's case.
Speaking before him, Workers Party lawmaker Rashed Khan Menon said, “It seems we are playing with snakes.”
Neither Menon nor Badal, explained their remarks.
Both of them, however, questioned the home ministry's role in allowing Jamaat-Shibir to hold a rally in the capital on Monday from where they warned of a civil war if the trial of war criminals is not stopped.
AL legislator Abdul Mannan said the main opposition BNP has been alleging that the AL wanted to ensure participation of Jamaat in the next parliamentary election, keeping BNP off the polls.
All the three MPs expressed dissatisfaction at the court verdict sentencing Quader Mollah to life term imprisonment for crimes against humanity during the Liberation War.
Some other MPs also wanted to join the unscheduled discussion. But Deputy Leader of the House Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury took the floor and stopped it.
“It is a sensitive issue. The court is involved in it. Let us take a decision through discussion with the leader of the House,” Sajeda said.
Deputy Speaker Shawkat Ali, who was presiding over the sitting, then allowed no one else speak on the issue.
Earlier, intiating the discussion, Menon said five out of six war crimes charges against Quader Mollah were proven beyond doubt, but he was sentenced to life term only.
After yesterday's verdict, he said, people have become frustrated about the war crimes trial and their frustration should be removed.
Mannan said questions have arisen in public mind whether the other Jamaat leaders facing trial for war crimes charges would be given capital punishment or not.
He also questioned the home ministry's role in allowing Jamaat to the rally on Monday, demanding abolition of the war crimes tribunal. And it is also being question if the Jamaat threat influenced the tribunal verdict, he said.
Badal said the entire nation is shocked and aggrieved at the verdict.