BNP must avoid violent confrontation

The BNP’s acting secretary general has sent mixed signals about the party’s plans to hold a “strong” movement against the government.

He told reporters that: ‘’If the government wanted to tread the path of compromise, there would not have been any problem. But they do not want to go for any discussion or talk. It is they who are pushing the country towards a conflict.”

We urge the BNP to not choose the path of confrontation and violence. The country does not need more chaos brought about by disruptive hartals and oborodhs.

Such actions are not the way to win over the public.

While it is regrettable that the government has said it will not enter into meaningful dialogue, by reverting to violence the BNP would relinquish the high ground.

Not only would a resumption of the series of violent protests and strikes seen before the January 5 election be ruinous for the country, they would also be counter-productive for the party calling them, losing whatever sympathy they might otherwise gain.

It is perhaps encouraging that the BNP secretary general did also say that: “We do not want to do anything that may lead to chaos” and that the AL general secretary has stated that: “BNP has announced to hold a peaceful movement. I believe they will do so.”

We hope that such prudent counsel will prevail.  Threatening  violent agitation is the wrong path for political leaders to take.