Editorial
PM's emphatic 'no', a rude jolt
Must she choose the path of ruinous confrontation?
IN an abruptly called press conference on Sunday raising public anticipation of an important political announcement, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina reiterated her familiar stance that the election will be held as per the constitution. We recall that she herself amended it according to her own wishes, and in undue haste, without a serious effort to engage anybody, including her own allies, let alone the opposition. It poured cold water on public expectations.
The Prime Minister's latest no-holds-barred obdurate positioning has been impolitic and inexplicable because there is no point closing all avenues for a negotiated settlement whose brass-tacks have been mooted informally at various levels on different occasions. Ever since the adoption of 15th amendment nullifying caretaker system, the PM and her colleagues have been consistently saying that they are open to talks, and even ready to consider any opposition formula of an interim set-up.
The PM's latest move puts across a number of negative signals, nationally and internationally. One, it may conclusively signify a lack of sincerity and intent of the AL government to reach any understanding with the opposition on ways to hold the election ensuring their full participation. Two, it signals imposition of ruling party's will on one of the major stakeholders in national politics denying democratic pluralism a legitimate opportunity. Last but not least, it signifies a negation of peaceful methods in preference to the ruinous path of confrontation making economy and the people suffer immeasurably in the days to come.
We think not all is lost yet, and that good sense will prevail sooner rather than later.
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