Editorial
The Big-2s softening of stance
A sliver of hope?
It would not be an exaggeration to say that the entire nation is waiting with a feeling of apprehension about the likely outcome of 12 March. We are perturbed, to say the least, to hear the drums of clashes being beaten by both sides. We are filled with trepidation by the exchange of rhetoric and the rather acerbic comments being spewed by both sides. And all of a sudden Dhaka has become a coveted city which both parties want to 'capture' on the 12th of March.
However, in the midst of all these we see a glimpse of hope which creates some optimism that yet there may be a possibility that the worst fears of the general public may not come to pass after all. And our optimism stems from the shift, slight that may be, from the previously rigid stance, as one can make out from a report in this newspaper very recently, by both the AL and the BNP.
We notice happily that the BNP for its part seems no longer stuck up on the caretaker name and it is amply clear from statements emanating from the AL high ups that it would be amenable to any constructive suggestion from the opposition. Thanks for the good sense. It is a positive development opening up scope for dialogue between the two parties. And the chance must not be allowed to go by.
However, we would like to add that the realities on ground do nothing to vindicate our hopes, given the continuous exchange of invectives by the two parties. Our hopes are also clouded by not only aggressive posturing but also by conflicting statements on the issue from within the same party.
There is no alternative to substantive dialogue and we are certain that both are aware of the consequences of the impasse continuing much longer. So, move they must towards a meaningful dialogue.
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