Kazi Zahidul Hasan :
Political observers and civil society leaders on Friday called the rival parties to initiate an immediate dialogue to end the current political crisis that has triggered violence across the country.
They said that the political parties should patiently join their heads together to find a key to this deadlock as soon as possible. Otherwise, it could lead Bangladesh deeper into turmoil which will adversely affect democratic practices,
economic activities and tarnish its image. “No doubt Bangladesh has plunged again into a deeper political crisis, with street violence engulfed the country,” Dr Imtiaz Ahmed, a professor of International Relationship at the Dhaka University, told The New Nation yesterday.
He added that the situation requires patience, wisdom, sagacity from all the stakeholders to resolve prevailing impasse though meaningful dialogue in greater national and public interest. “The government should take the initiative of the dialogue which should be based on a formula of holding next election,” he added.
The BNP-led 20 party opposition alliance took to the streets and staged violent protest for the last four days to force the government to call for fresh inclusive elections under a neutral caretaker government. “The BNP believes that the strategy of continued violent protests will go in its favour. But, this can only happen if the party gains the support of the people,” commented Professor Imtiaz Ahmed.
He, however, opined that the ongoing repression on the opposition leaders, including BNP chief Begum Khaleda Zia, and street violence have piled a pressure on the government, only a year after since 5 January election.
When asked, Professor Imtiaz said, in my mind, there are no easy or quick solutions to this crisis because the ruling party as usual remains rigid on its stance of holding the next election before 2019. “The ongoing chaos that spread throughout the country is likely to plunge Bangladesh deeper into turmoil and further economic stagnation,” said Dr AB Mirza Azizul Islam, former Adviser to a Caretaker Government. He said if the political turmoil lingers, there is perceptive slowdown in both local and foreign direct investment (FDI) and GDP is also expected to register further fall. Expressing concern over the current political crisis, Mirza Azizul Islam urged rival political parties to launch an immediate dialogue to end the deadlock. He is still hopeful that the early settlement of the impasse will help the country get out the turmoil. “The present situation requires a meaningful dialogue between the top leaders of AL and BNP. But they may not sit for the dialogue all of a sudden unless a demand is created,” said Dr Iftekharuzzaman, Executive Director of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB).So, all the stakeholders, including political parties, civil society, democratic organisations and media should work together to bring them to the negotiating table, he added.
Dr Iftekharuzzaman observed that the present crisis has little to do with ideology and more to with vested political ambition of the political leaders and their personal feud. “Their sharp political differences and competition on power is ruining democracy, undermining human rights and freedom of expression, sovereignty and nationhood,” he noted.
He was critical of opposition role in fueling violence. Political parties have the right to call hartal and blockade. “But what is unacceptable is using violence,” he said.
When asked, Dr Iftekharuzzaman said, political turmoil time and again is not only severely hitting economic growth but also creating the opportunity for the extremists and undemocratic forces in the country. “We are passing our days with fear and anxieties as major political parties have any significant initiative to end the deadlock,” said Dr Badiul Alam Majumder, General Secretary of Sushashoner Jonno Nagorik (SUJAN).
Commenting on the present political situation, he said, “It is not the battle of politics rather it is a battle of power. Feuding parties should prioritise national interest and resume dialogue to restore peace and stability in the country,” he added.
They should be seeking a breakthrough to end the deadlock as history will not have mercy on them if they leave the country paralysed.
Political observers and civil society leaders on Friday called the rival parties to initiate an immediate dialogue to end the current political crisis that has triggered violence across the country.
They said that the political parties should patiently join their heads together to find a key to this deadlock as soon as possible. Otherwise, it could lead Bangladesh deeper into turmoil which will adversely affect democratic practices,
economic activities and tarnish its image. “No doubt Bangladesh has plunged again into a deeper political crisis, with street violence engulfed the country,” Dr Imtiaz Ahmed, a professor of International Relationship at the Dhaka University, told The New Nation yesterday.
He added that the situation requires patience, wisdom, sagacity from all the stakeholders to resolve prevailing impasse though meaningful dialogue in greater national and public interest. “The government should take the initiative of the dialogue which should be based on a formula of holding next election,” he added.
The BNP-led 20 party opposition alliance took to the streets and staged violent protest for the last four days to force the government to call for fresh inclusive elections under a neutral caretaker government. “The BNP believes that the strategy of continued violent protests will go in its favour. But, this can only happen if the party gains the support of the people,” commented Professor Imtiaz Ahmed.
He, however, opined that the ongoing repression on the opposition leaders, including BNP chief Begum Khaleda Zia, and street violence have piled a pressure on the government, only a year after since 5 January election.
When asked, Professor Imtiaz said, in my mind, there are no easy or quick solutions to this crisis because the ruling party as usual remains rigid on its stance of holding the next election before 2019. “The ongoing chaos that spread throughout the country is likely to plunge Bangladesh deeper into turmoil and further economic stagnation,” said Dr AB Mirza Azizul Islam, former Adviser to a Caretaker Government. He said if the political turmoil lingers, there is perceptive slowdown in both local and foreign direct investment (FDI) and GDP is also expected to register further fall. Expressing concern over the current political crisis, Mirza Azizul Islam urged rival political parties to launch an immediate dialogue to end the deadlock. He is still hopeful that the early settlement of the impasse will help the country get out the turmoil. “The present situation requires a meaningful dialogue between the top leaders of AL and BNP. But they may not sit for the dialogue all of a sudden unless a demand is created,” said Dr Iftekharuzzaman, Executive Director of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB).So, all the stakeholders, including political parties, civil society, democratic organisations and media should work together to bring them to the negotiating table, he added.
Dr Iftekharuzzaman observed that the present crisis has little to do with ideology and more to with vested political ambition of the political leaders and their personal feud. “Their sharp political differences and competition on power is ruining democracy, undermining human rights and freedom of expression, sovereignty and nationhood,” he noted.
He was critical of opposition role in fueling violence. Political parties have the right to call hartal and blockade. “But what is unacceptable is using violence,” he said.
When asked, Dr Iftekharuzzaman said, political turmoil time and again is not only severely hitting economic growth but also creating the opportunity for the extremists and undemocratic forces in the country. “We are passing our days with fear and anxieties as major political parties have any significant initiative to end the deadlock,” said Dr Badiul Alam Majumder, General Secretary of Sushashoner Jonno Nagorik (SUJAN).
Commenting on the present political situation, he said, “It is not the battle of politics rather it is a battle of power. Feuding parties should prioritise national interest and resume dialogue to restore peace and stability in the country,” he added.
They should be seeking a breakthrough to end the deadlock as history will not have mercy on them if they leave the country paralysed.
