Political stalemate: Is there still any chance for unlocking gridlock?

Bangladesh is fast approaching its next general elections, but its overall political environment is charged with animosity and bitterness. Divergent positions, taken by the government and the main opposition alliance, under whose authority the polls will be held, has made the scenario belligerent -- and that, too, to the extent that two sides are evidently on a tough collision course.
The main opposition and its allies are bent upon not taking part in the voting if the elections are held without an interim non-partisan government. Several other small but ideologically consistent parties like the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) and the Bangladesh Samajtantric Dal (BSD) have also decided not to take part in a "one-sided" polls, although they hardly see eye to eye on many issues with the main opposition.
A "poll-time" government has already been formed with the parties that were the partners of the "grand alliance" government during the last five years with the incumbent prime minister as the head of the authority.
The volatile political condition of Bangladesh has drawn the attention of the international quarters including the United Nations, European parliament and many influential nations. The violent politics of the country has become a topic of the discussions everywhere and at the heart of the crisis is the "inclusive" balloting in a free and fair manner. Is it going to take place? This is the million dollar question at the moment.
Sadly, the seemingly intractable political stalemate in Bangladesh shows yet no sign of a breakthrough and no 'beacon' of light is discernible at the end of the tunnel. It is one of the most unfortunate moments in the political history of the country when the politicians have failed not only to live up to the expectations but also to feel the pulse of the people who largely consider that the current imbroglio is the creation of only the politicians.
Thus, there is a strong impression or perception at the ordinary citizens' level that it is primarily the responsibility of the politicians to break the stalemate; but the latter are failing in discharging properly their part of the responsibility.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is unquestionably the most important figure in the present scenario and suitably placed to provide an acceptable solution to the crisis, has gone to Islam's holiest place, Makkah, for performing "Umrah". Reports from there said she prayed for the well-being and progress of Bangladesh and its people.
Sheikh Hasina is a religious person and often speaks about the "Madina Sanad" which is believed to be an exemplary dispensation for governance. Before her departure for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, she rekindled a fresh hope for a resolution of the crisis when she requested the acting secretary general of the main opposition, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), for initiating a dialogue with his Awami League (AL) counterpart when they met at a function on the occasion of the Armed Forces Day. However, no tangible forward movement could be witnessed since this overture was made by the prime minister. Who is lagging behind -- the government or the opposition?
Earlier, the Prime Minister said that it is the welfare of the people that matters most for her and not the prime ministership. Hasina had also spoken about making "supreme" sacrifice in the greater interest of the nation. As the head of the government, the onus is largely on her for demonstrating wisdom to work out a solution to the political impasse. After all, she is the daughter of the "Bangabandhu", the architect of Bangladesh and she can ill-afford to be seen as a stumbling bloc to a settlement of the current crisis.
Even if the government succeeds in holding the elections, facing the opposition threat of boycott or "resistance", this is highly unlikely to add any commendable chapter to Bangladesh' history of democracy. Any voting sans true participation of the people, as a whole, would simply be a negation of the basic norms of democracy, regardless of the developments about how the government prepares itself to stage it. Will the prime minister relish such a situation, herself being a champion of democracy?
Evidently, the hardliners on both sides are seeking to scuttle a settlement. But in the ultimate analysis, it is the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition who have the most vital stakes in this complicated scene and history would judge them on the basis of their actual performance from their respective roles at this critical juncture of the nation.
Opposition leader Begum Khaleda Zia has demonstrated toughness in her stance. But she, too, needs to adopt flexibility and shun rigidity for arriving at a solution that can facilitate the participation of all major parties in the forthcoming national polls. Whether it is a "neutral" or "all-party" poll-time government, the fact remains that any balloting without the participation by the main players in the country's polity, would only invite more problems than providing any solution.
Besides, the outcome of any one-sided polling is highly unlikely to be accepted both at home and abroad -- let alone being considered as being a "credible" voting that is seen in the democratic world.
Undeniably, the situation in countries like Bangladesh where the democratic process has intermittently been interrupted at different times, can not be compared with those of India, US or other countries, particularly following the Westminster-type of administration, as far as the poll-time authority is concerned. In those nations, the ruling parties often lose and even the heavyweights, including the head of the government, taste defeats. It is simply inconceivable in countries like Bangladesh where no incumbent government lost in polls, unless held under a non-partisan authority, as the history would suggest.
Bangladesh now stands at a crossroads as seldom -- probably, never before -- it had experienced such a complex situation as it is now faced with. Ironically, it is not a natural disaster or any occurrence, caused by the fury of nature. It is purely human-made. There is no iota of doubt that the present political stand-off that is causing enormous anxiety and concern all round -- both nationally and beyond -- is unfortunately the creation of the persons, who are our leaders and are supposed to lead, guide and govern the nation for its better future. It is not their job to create a situation, either by default or by design, in which the nation, as the present situation does otherwise indicate, is inexorably heading towards getting into graver troubles.
While the electoral process moves on after the formation of a poll-time government, everything has not, however, been lost even at this moment. The flicker of hope can brighten, providing a sigh of relief for the people, if the politicians across the current divide show their wisdom and maturity, going beyond the bounds of their narrow self-propelled politics. The "window" of opportunity can still be explored and a solution is possible, despite the time-constraints, provided the will and sincerity are there to accomplish the desired task.
"Politics" is for nation and the people, and their interest must be placed above everything else and this basic about democratic governance must not be lost sight of, by the major players in the country's polity.
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