Will Begum Zia and Sheikh Hasina prove skeptics wrong?
Sunday, 28 September 2008
Mohammad Ali Sattar
It is a good news that the two main leaders of the country, Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina have not stated anything so far against having a political dialogue between them. The caretaker government is in favour of such a dialogue before a peaceful transfer of power after the elections. After its much touted 'minus two' and 'manage two' schemes the government is now approaching the third and practical option. Barrister Rafiqul Haque, the lawyer of the two leaders, has been the natural choice as a go between.
Rafiqul Haque has been trying to bring the two leaders to a dialogue table without conditions.
The two leaders, he said agreed to sit for a dialogue some time after Eid-ul-Fitr on Hasina's return from abroad, without preconditions.
Rafiqul Haque believes if they get together for the talks, not only their personal differences will be resolved, but the country would also be relieved of the prevailing political crisis.
Many people expect the dialogue between the two leaders can help strengthen democracy on a firm institutional footing and usher in a qualitative change in Bangladesh politic.
But the skeptics believe that it could be another futile exercise for the benefit of the media.
It is likely that the two leaders would choose that they have been holding on, for the last twenty years. They would not let others choose an agenda for them.
The veteran lawyer said, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia was very positive about meeting Awami League President Sheikh Hasina.
Hasina also welcomed the move but she told him she would her decision after discussing the matter with her party colleagues on her return home. Begum Zia gave her consent for such a meet without any reservation.
And Hasina will give her 'final decision' after consultation with her partly leaders. Given the situation in the country's largely bi-partisan fractious polity, one cannot yet be sure that the dialogue would be.
If the two leaders failed to have the dialogue to sort out the issues, fears Rafiqul Haque, the country could revert to the pre-1/11 situation.
If that is so, it is the moral responsibility of the two leaders to prevent a return to the pre-1/11 strifes.
The two leaders enjoy wide support and strong political following. But they also set not so likeable examples of healthy political rivalries -- and their often irrational rivalries boils down to personal levels. Political differences are understandable and very much a part of democracy.
They should try to understand that their personal differences should not give rise to 'politics of confrontation.'
Can they blame any body else for the current situation? As the people of this country still rally behind them? Why should not they take interest in working for democracy, the people and the country?
The two leaders have the option to prove the skeptics wrong by holding the much talked-about dialogue and not coming out empty handed.
It is a good news that the two main leaders of the country, Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina have not stated anything so far against having a political dialogue between them. The caretaker government is in favour of such a dialogue before a peaceful transfer of power after the elections. After its much touted 'minus two' and 'manage two' schemes the government is now approaching the third and practical option. Barrister Rafiqul Haque, the lawyer of the two leaders, has been the natural choice as a go between.
Rafiqul Haque has been trying to bring the two leaders to a dialogue table without conditions.
The two leaders, he said agreed to sit for a dialogue some time after Eid-ul-Fitr on Hasina's return from abroad, without preconditions.
Rafiqul Haque believes if they get together for the talks, not only their personal differences will be resolved, but the country would also be relieved of the prevailing political crisis.
Many people expect the dialogue between the two leaders can help strengthen democracy on a firm institutional footing and usher in a qualitative change in Bangladesh politic.
But the skeptics believe that it could be another futile exercise for the benefit of the media.
It is likely that the two leaders would choose that they have been holding on, for the last twenty years. They would not let others choose an agenda for them.
The veteran lawyer said, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia was very positive about meeting Awami League President Sheikh Hasina.
Hasina also welcomed the move but she told him she would her decision after discussing the matter with her party colleagues on her return home. Begum Zia gave her consent for such a meet without any reservation.
And Hasina will give her 'final decision' after consultation with her partly leaders. Given the situation in the country's largely bi-partisan fractious polity, one cannot yet be sure that the dialogue would be.
If the two leaders failed to have the dialogue to sort out the issues, fears Rafiqul Haque, the country could revert to the pre-1/11 situation.
If that is so, it is the moral responsibility of the two leaders to prevent a return to the pre-1/11 strifes.
The two leaders enjoy wide support and strong political following. But they also set not so likeable examples of healthy political rivalries -- and their often irrational rivalries boils down to personal levels. Political differences are understandable and very much a part of democracy.
They should try to understand that their personal differences should not give rise to 'politics of confrontation.'
Can they blame any body else for the current situation? As the people of this country still rally behind them? Why should not they take interest in working for democracy, the people and the country?
The two leaders have the option to prove the skeptics wrong by holding the much talked-about dialogue and not coming out empty handed.