Refusal to engage in dialogue is not a sign of strength. The prime minister’s rhetoric is shortsighted
The prime minister’s refusal to engage in dialogue with the BNP is shortsighted and a detriment to the nation.
While we believe the January 5 elections to have fulfilled a constitutional requirement, grievances about the process and the events preceding the election, and the issue of where do we go from here, need to be addressed by both the AL and BNP.
We are highly disappointed that the prime minister is not leading moves towards dialogue in a statesmanlike manner, but persisting in rhetoric which can only serve to escalate distrust and division.
It is certainly true, as she says, that activists of the BNP engaged in widespread violence and destruction in the run up to the election, which they had chosen to boycott.
Nonetheless, it is a responsibility of the ruling party to act in the interests of the nation and to engage in talks with the BNP, rather than continue a standoff which can only lead to further violence and instability.
The BNP leader’s threat of violent agitation is certainly not the right path for the country, either. Too many lives have been lost, and too much damage has been done to our nation’s economy, by the main parties’ utter inability to resolve political deadlocks. Now it seems they will no longer even try.
Refusal to engage in dialogue is not a sign of strength, but an abdication of responsibility.
Our prime minister must show leadership and rise above personal and political grievances, to bring the BNP in for constructive talks to resolve matters, so the nation is spared any further instability and suffering. After all, what exactly is the alternative?
Source: Dhaka Tribune
