Editorial
BNP abstaining from JS
Putting conditions not acceptable
We are sorry that the opposition BNP has decided to remain absent from the parliament in the current session. It is all but clear to us that the reason it had joined, and that too very briefly, the last session of the parliament, was possibly only to prevent their seats being declared vacant. We feel that the party's position is not only irrational, it is impolitic and dysfunctional for democracy, for itself and for the state, and above all, it is a letdown of its supporters who are being kept unrepresented in the parliament for a long time.
We fail to understand why attending parliament should be made an issue at all. And with every passing day there is an accretion to the list of conditions. It is unfortunate that something that a party is obliged to the people, particularly to its supporters, to do of its own volition, is being tied up with preconditions. This time a new addition to the list is the demand on the government to commit to holding mid-term polls. And in this regard BNP leaders are not speaking in one voice. Barrister Maudud Ahmed has set a different precondition, that of withdrawing four cases against Begum Zia.
The current session is important not only because of the budget but also for several matters of great national significance. The issue of constitutional amendment is likely to come up for consideration, and in which the future of the caretaker government will feature prominently. The only place to call for midterm polls is the parliament, and the BNP will do a great disservice by not putting up its points of view in the House. These issues are being flogged day in and day out in every forum, and on some of which BNP's stand is opposite to the ruling coalition's, and understandably so.
BNP's position regarding the issue of joining the parliament has assumed a flippant character, which, to the eyes of the people has caused erosion of the party's credibility. The only reason that the BNP should join the parliament of its own volition is that it is elected to do so.
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