Editorial
Competition yes, confrontation no
We are alarmed at the AL's decision
In a democracy, it is for political parties to go to the people every time they need public support for their programmes. It is on the degree of public support that parties are able to assess the acceptability or otherwise of their policies. But when political parties come up with programmes distinctly confrontational in nature, there is real cause for concern. The decision by the ruling Awami League to counter the upcoming programmes of the opposition BNP is, we believe, a move it could well have done without. Coming on the heels of the opposition's planned road marches and rallies, the ruling party's decision looks deliberately confrontational and does nothing to bridge the widening chasm between it and its political rivals. We are constrained to say that such an approach can hardly be constructive for the nation.
Building public opinion in favour of political programmes depends on how much of an intellectual debate parties can bring into the public domain. But the approach of the governing party does little to enlighten the people about the issues before it. The Awami League should allow a reasonable time gap before it embarks on its own drive for support for its policies. Meanwhile, it is important for the opposition to be given space, to be allowed to have its say. Back to back rallies can only muddy the waters. We must not forget that we in this country are hostage to a political culture where the aggressiveness of leaders is all too often followed by even more aggressiveness on the part of their supporters. It is then that the potential for violence goes up by a good many leaps and bounds, with the nation eventually paying a price for a situation it has no hand in the making of.
However, the opposition also needs to be more responsible in its utterances. Demanding early election is democratic, but preaching the toppling of an elected government is not. The opposition is expected to bear that in mind.
We would urge the ruling party leadership to take a step back and consider conditions in a democratic manner. It is not proper that those who govern go overboard in their reactions to the moves by their political adversaries. Good, forward-looking leadership consists in putting views across in sober, thoughtful fashion and not through rash or knee-jerk responses. The need, especially on the part of the governing Awami League, is to work toward effecting a disengagement in confrontational politics.
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