Undeniably, Bangladesh is now passing through a critical juncture of its history as an independent nation for more than four decades. Politically, the country stands at a crossroads as only seldom - probably, never before -- it faced as complex a situation as Bangladesh is facing currently. Ironically, it is not a natural disaster or any occurrence by the whims of nature, but is purely man-made one.
There is no iota of doubt that the present political stand-off, causing enormous anxieties and concerns all round - both nationally and beyond - is unfortunately creation of the persons, who are our leaders and are supposed to lead, guide and govern the 160 million people towards a better future. It is not their job to create a situation - even if not deliberately - in which the nation looks to be inexorably moving towards plunging itself into a crisis of a severe proportion. It is a condition of heightened tension that requires no elaboration. Diametrically opposite positions, adopted by the ruling and opposition circles over the coming national elections, has shown no sign of a breakthrough. Consequently, the answer to this imbroglio has remained elusive much to the dismay and alarm of the countrymen.
It is against this background, prime minister Sheikh Hasina addressed the nation on Friday evening and the speech drew the attention from all concerned for obvious reasons. Expectedly, the people remained glued to their TV and radio sets for the simple reason to know what the head of the government would say at this critical situation. Further hardening of approach to the opposition, any way-out of the complicated scenario - or offering of an olive branch? The crux of the whole thing is the coming elections - how that would take place and under whose authority.
As soon as the address was over, analyses and interpretations were galore on what the prime minister sought to convey about the prevailing condition in the country. To most analysts, it provides a glimmer of hope for a way out of the current crisis, even though it is also not difficult to find much of new substance in it. The address contains no clear solution to the deepening crisis. Neither was it expected to be as such. But one may see the light at the end of the tunnel.
The prime minister's tone was broadly conciliatory although she highlighted "achievements" of her government in the last five years and also severely criticized the "failures" of the main opposition when it was in power before. Admittedly, this is no surprise as it is only expected from a ruling authority in a democracy and more so in countries like ours. Nevertheless, if at the same breath she would have mentioned, at least, one or two failures in sensitive areas like those of the "share market", "Padma Bridge" or some recent financial scams in the banking sector - the PM would have a more credible audience among the common masses.
However, she deliberately chose not to sound like any rigidly hardliner while some of the ministers or other political figures of the ruling circles are seeking to threaten the opposition even in these last days of the government, centring around the programmes after October 24. Sheikh Hasina "requested" more than once the main opposition leader, Khaleda Zia, to name probable ministers in an all-party cabinet that the PM proposed to oversee a credible election. True, the proposal has did not specifically mention as to who would be the head of the "interim" government, but the new elements contained in her address are remarkable in the sense that it may provide some basis for future developments. The bottom line is that the prime minister has appeared to have avoided the path of stubbornness and this may facilitate a forward movement toward a settlement of the crisis.
Yet, there are reasons to believe that the main opposition is unlikely to be much moved by the address since its key demand -- the incumbent prime minister can not be the head of the government that would conduct the polls - has not been accommodated. Nonetheless, as some ground has been broken, negotiations may become possible. Judging by the latest developments, positive omens may be visible in the country's otherwise hostile political environment, although too much should not be read at this stage.
Many thought that the prime minister in her address might also come down on Nobel Laureate professor Muhammad Yunus for his comments in Chittagong the other day, which were seen as not favourable to the government. But she did not go along that line and this has been good both for her as well as for seeking a solution to the political problems. The government-Yunus issue is a much talked-about matter both at home and internationally and has incidentally become inextricably linked with country's politics. True, Muhammad Yunus may not be fully without any fault, nor his micro-credit concept is not a fool-proof innovation. But there can hardly be any dispute that he brought great laurels for Bangladesh and this Nobel prize has not come to him out of blue. It has been the culmination of his long painstaking efforts, capped by so many international awards. It is known that Sheikh Hasina had no bad blood with Yunus as she herself had commended the "achievement of Grameen Bank".
It is believed that some over-zealous individuals for sheer personal grudge or sycophancy brought about a cleavage between the two by simply misleading the prime minister, by taking the advantage of their proximity to her. But it is the democratically elected prime minister of the country, who suffered losses at home and abroad since all Bangladeshis are proud of Prof. Yunus, who is acclaimed at high levels internationally. The rupture was ill-conceived, and was the least desirable one.
The prime minister demonstrated certain degree of maturity and gumption in her address to the nation that has, al least, sought to smoothen the volatility of the current political condition to some extent. It is desirable that the opposition too should seize this "window" - so as to reach the broader settlement to facilitate a credible election in the country. After all, these days, there is no alternative to a really meaningful voting since faulty balloting would not be accepted nationally and internationally, and would spawn more trouble. It goes without saying that constitution or the system is for the people and not the vice versa. The "caretaker" government was not in the constitution during the rule of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) during its tenure in the first time, but it had to be accepted because the people wanted that and the Awami League (AL) was at the vanguard of the movement. The February 15 elections in 1996 - devoid of participation of main opposition - was a "hollow mandate" of the people that snowballed the then ruling party's predicament, leading to its exit from power. Why should at all the present ruling circles walk the same course, knowing fully well that it would not pay it the dividends? It can, at best, prolong its rule that can not be comfortable and may even spell a disaster.
The prime minister concluded her address on a somber note, reminiscing her youngest brother Sheikh Russell, who was killed mercilessly on August 15,1975, along with Bangladesh's architect Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and most of the members of his family. Her address synchoronised with Russell's birthday, evidently touching emotional grounds that was manifest in her address. Many were moved by this reference by the prime minister.
By the same token, people were not discouraged by Hasina's address while this may be construed as "inadequate" for settlement of a political crisis. Nonetheless, this can be seen as a silver lining - albeit not much distinctly - in the dark cloud hovering over the political horizon of Bangladesh. If politics is for the welfare and betterment of the people and if their concerns and anxieties are of any consequence, then our politicians, regardless of their positions in the political power matrix, must live up to their expectations. While the onus mainly falls on the ruling party to unravel the "Gordian knot", the opposition, too, has a responsible role to play here that is compatible with the people's wishes. Can we all heave a sign of relief and thank our politicians? Only the coming days can, perhaps, give us the answer.
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