Who will win the war of attrition?

STAR

THERE is an on going war of attrition in the political arena in Bangladesh whose outcome is both unforeseen and unquantifiable. It is our misfortunate that we have had to endure the harmful consequences of political attritions since the very start of the new dawn of democracy in 1991.
Attrition can be an effective strategy in the field of battle to wear down an enemy; but it has been always a double edged weapon that cut both ways, and more so in politics, where the measure is fraught with even more danger. In the past, the opposing commanders found ways to avoid attrition, because it violated the principles of war, or even a battle involving the entire army. Differences were sought to be resolved by engaging two best soldiers of the two camps in combat. And whoever yielded, conceded victory to the other camp. That spared many lives at the end of the day.
Alas! We do not have such arrangement for the political parties to adopt. But can we not? Here are some suggestions which I offer at the risk of being considered tongue in cheek and insensitive, but which, if adopted, would spare the country some harsh consequences, at least avoid the repetition of the 'logi – baitha' episode of October 2006.
We could have a 'shouting' contest between two of the most vocal members of the two alliances. They would be left to do all the shouting from the highest building in the capital at each other with no holds barred and no time limit till one stopped, either out of exhaustion, or loss of invectives in their kitty, or rupture of the epiglottis. And we could have both male and female categories in the 'combat'.
We could also have two pairs of boxing gloves on two braves chosen by the two alliances, to resolve the impasse. The only caveat would be that there would not be more than 2 kilo difference in weight between them. Here too no holds would be barred and hitting below the belt would be allowed. That would perhaps ensure a quick termination of the combat and end of the standoff.
A more serene and peaceful option has been left out. I had in mind a poetry reading contest but gave up the idea because it would be difficult to find judges to adjudicate the competition who would be acceptable to both the parties.
Believe me, I am not being facetious, neither am I trying to make light of a serious situation. My reaction stems from pondering on the likely outcome of the current confrontation between the two parties with ever increasing hardening of positions that brings to mind the ominous developments of 2006. It seems nothing else except retaining power or getting back to power matters to the two parties. Even our foreign friends are worried, and at least one ambassador has offered to mediate between the two, whether that falls within his remit is a different matter People are anticipating with anxiety the next few months, particularly October, when several developments are likely to occur including the start of the countdown to the 90 days of election according to the 15th Amendment.
The AL is firm on holding elections like in 'any other democratic country'. And they are saying so without feeling any qualms of having participated in four elections unlike in 'any other democratic country', or even feeling remorse for having put the country through untold misery to introduce the caretaker system, a system not to be found in 'any other democratic country'.
It is ridiculous that the AL leaders should be advising the BNP to shed the ghost of CTG from their shoulders, without realising that it was they who created the ghost in the first place. One wonders too whether the AL has been able to shed the CTG ghost from their shoulders. The mode and manner in which the 15th Amendment was brought about suggest that they have not.
BNP's threats to force the government to accede to their demands convey an undertone of coercion, of which it is the general public which will be in the receiving end. Standing firm on the demand of 'nothing but a CTG' does not speak of their political wisdom.
And amidst all these, the specter of 'third force' coming to power is being flaunted without realising that it is a very important institution of the country that is being made the object of suspicion. That should not happen.
If the war of attrition is allowed to continue we cannot predict the winner, but we can certainly say who the loser would be – the people.
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The writer is Editor, Op-Ed and Defence & Strategic Affairs, The Daily Star.