Dialogue with political parties
Photo: Munir Uz Zaman / Driknews
The government now appears to have agreed to the plan of the political parties to have ”dialogue” with them on the political issues confronting the nation. But the burning question remains; dialogue with whom? What purpose it would serve or what problem it would solve or what benefit would be derived out of these dialogues? That's anybody's guess. After all, those people are the same ones who dominated the previous political regime either in power or in the opposition and we are well aware what kind of services those politicians rendered to the nation and what were their activities. Despite a general consensus amongst the public on the need to bring new and honest leadership and bring reforms in the party constitutions, nothing has so far been done and the parties are still controlled by those stalwarts under whose dominance the country progressed very little and suffered immensely. Their party chairpersons continue to hold autocratic power, act as dictators and there is no room for democracy in their constitutions. How these politicians talk about democracy while they themselves do not practice it within their parties? There should be a limit to hypocrisy. Everybody knows that those politicians having no proper agenda to discuss, would only demand, (a) early election, knowing well that the process is on, (b) withdrawal of emergency, disregarding the fact under what circumstances the emergency had to be declared and who were responsible for creating such circumstances and (c) release of their two controversial women leaders, which is a legal matter. Obviously to the general public these demands do not carry any value. They are now mostly worried about the situation those politicians might create once again if they come back. Peace and development of the country could be jeopardized again by those handful of politicians even after the proposed election in December. The most surprising part is that the political parties while placing their demands for this and that offered nothing in return. Is it not their moral obligation to beg apology for their misdeeds in the past and promise better behaviour in the future? To them the meaning of democracy is lawlessness and a licence to do and speak whatever they would like to. We have seen during the last thirty-six years that in the name of democracy they made this country a heaven for the corrupt and musclemen. The government, therefore, should first determine, in the interest of the country, with whom they would be going for a dialogue and what would be the politicians' commitment towards good governance. We as general public should also put forward the demand to the political parties to spell out a clear-cut roadmap for the reforms in their party constitutions, their firm commitment towards non violent politics, removal of corruption, development of the country and welfare of the people. It is a matter of great pity that none of the party stalwarts expressed their regret, even for once, for the corrupt activities of their party cadres even at the highest level! That itself reveals how sincere they are about the welfare of the nation. Therefore, prior commitments for reforms in their party constitution and good governance should be a must. Otherwise, any dialogue with them will be fruitless and sheer wastage of time and energy.
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