The politics of Bangladesh reached at a point of uncertainty again as one major party, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), boycotted the 3rd phase of dialogue arranged by the Election Commission (EC) of the country saying that all ordinances proclaimed by the government after January 11, 2007 should be cancelled as those have been prepared without consulting BNP. But one senior leader of BNP informed that his party is intending to join in dialogue with Chairperson Khaleda Zia.
Government is yet in the process to convince BNP to come around the table as an ongoing effort to facilitate election process. In course, Zia has also been granted bail for two more graft cases, and it is expected that she will be freed within a week from jail. With this, Khaleda Zia overcomes all legal obstacles to be freed from imprisonment. She was arrested by the authority for corruption charges.
On the other hand, another major party Bangladesh Awami League (AL) expressed its opinion in the 3rd phase dialogue with EC that they would like to see parliament election in time before holding any other poll. It is considered as a hard stand by AL on election issue, though it has participated in the recently held local body elections and swept the result in their favour.
After their talk, AL leaders said to the press that EC and the party reached in conformity on many issues related to elections, but EC said that commission only heard the opinion of AL representatives. After this controversy, when AL senior leaders were communicated, they said that it is not proper time to comment.
Earlier, before joining in the 3rd phase discussion, AL acting President Zillur Rahman told to the press that his party would not comply with any unilateral decision of EC regarding Upazila (sub district) council and parliament election. AL-led 14-party alliance members were also present in the dialogue and demanded that parliament election should be hold before Upazila, emergency must be withdrawn totally before the election and war criminals must be bared by law from participating in any elections.
Another development in the election process is that Jamate Islami Bangladesh (Jamat) and Islami Okoy Jot (IOJ), two major allies of BNP-led 4-party alliance, also boycotted the 3rd phase dialogue and they are in an attempt to strengthen the alliance again. It should be mentioned that these two parties were involved in the talk and kept their mouth shut about the arrest of Khaleda Zia, her sons and other BNP leaders on corruption charges. Presently Jamat and IOJ are very enthusiastic to re-organise the alliance which was in power just before the formation of Interim Government.
In this point of time, AL, BNP and other mainstream political parties raised their voice again for parliamentary election before any local body poll except Jatio Party (JP) of HM Ershad, the former military autocrat who ruled the country for almost a decade and ousted through a people upsurge in 1990. HM Ershad said that his party would join in any election under the road map of EC.
Few sideline parties stated that schedule of Upazila and Parliament election could be declared on a same day and the election could be held on different dates. Holding parliament election first would be wise, they mentioned.
Meanwhile, elected Mayors of four City Corporation demanded parliament election first after taking oath on September 10, 2008, and that is the echo of the demand of the party they belong to. Though sources closed to the EC and administration informed that authorities are yet firm about holding local body polls first.
In consideration of the situation it could be said that a multidimensional tug of war is going on in the politics of Bangladesh. At least one of the dimensions of this tug of war is among the political parties and others are running among politicians and the authorities. This contradiction is further delaying the process of dialogue to a general consensus. Barrister Rafique, one of the very senior lawyers of the country and a prominent vocal personality in favour of civil rights, told that political parties should stop squabbling among them. If they failed to change their culture country may experience another One/Eleven like situation.
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