Khaleda's welcome overture

WE are heartened by the BNP chief's decision not to go for oborodh and hartal that spilled blood, burnt people, destroyed property and hurt the economy. It also earned unpopularity for the party. We are relieved at her choice of peaceful means to articulate her demands and wish that these will not be short-lived.
We also note that she has strongly condemned the violence perpetrated against the minority community.  While congratulating her on this, we would like to add that had she reacted earlier on, it could have been more effective.
Khaleda Zia has blamed it all on the ruling party. While the misdeeds of certain ruling party elements were duly covered by the media including ourselves, may we assert that it was largely doings of the Jamaat-Shibir elements that did most of the damage?
The BNP chief is right in demanding the release of her party's imprisoned leaders, opening of their offices and allowing them to function. We believe the government should respect their rights to peaceful demonstrations. We recall that the way the ruling party handled the opposition prior to the election smacked of a repressive regime.  Such an approach must be scrupulously avoided, now
Finally, Khaleda Zia has called for a dialogue and so has Hasina. Now the nation awaits the start of this much-awaited process.