BNP's preconditions

It is after a long time that the BNP has been able to organise a political rally without much let or hindrance, and what is a natural affair in the politics of a country elsewhere, becomes a matter for complimenting the administration, that being an exception rather than the common in Bangladesh. 

While the large gathering at the BNP rally was impressive, we are disappointed by the message BNP sent out to the people on Saturday by way of the six preconditions for participating in the forthcoming general election. It seems that BNP has learned nothing from its decision to boycott the 2014 elections, which has left it sidelined as a political party. In the last four years BNP has offered nothing constructive to the people except anti-government rhetoric and preconditions. The people are not aware of the BNP's policies with regard to the country's socio-economic or external policies that would persuade voters, particularly the swing voters, to choose the BNP over the AL to run the country. And, disappointingly, it has continued with its close relationship with Jamaat, despite the party being a deadweight on the BNP.

BNP's strategy should be positioned on positives rather than negatives, on visions for the future rather than a narrow partisan focus. Boycotting general election by a leading political party can never be an option. Abstaining from the last general election has marginalised the BNP. There can be only one inescapable outcome for the BNP should it persist with the policy of boycott—become a complete political non-entity.