Editorial
Reconciliation before polls a pressing task
AL and BNP should strive to fulfill it
WE have said it before, and we repeat it with all the energy vigour at our command -- some sort of a poll time formula for reconciliation must be reached for peaceful election.
Going to the polls without any understanding is a sure formula for disaster.
There have been glimmers of silver lining around the clouds hovering the political landscape lately. On November 19, a 20 member opposition delegation led by Khaleda Zia met president Abdul Hamid urging him to intercede with the ruling party. It has been reported that he has just sent minutes of the meeting to the Prime Minister. On 21 November, the PM while exchanging pleasantries with BNP acting general secretary Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on the Armed Forces Day advised Fakhrul to engage with his AL counterpart Syed Ashraful Islam. Ashraful calls Fakhrul to fix a meeting with him. It appears both met in 'secrecy'.
We suggest that the EC should hold back announcement of the election schedule without upsetting the polls timetable. At the same time, the opposition should avoid using such language as bringing the country to a screeching halt with the announcement of the polls schedule. If the ruling party plays around as it wishes and the opposition takes plunge in a destructive swipe, the citizenry is dealt a body blow. Without any further ado, they must get to the brass tacks seizing every opportunity to negotiate a settlement of the political crisis.
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