Talks? Huh!

They haven’t spoken to each other for years. They usually avoid a programme if they both are invited to it. And they still remain indifferent to the demand voiced on numerous occasions for holding talks to end the ongoing political crisis.
A Facebook group observed a token hunger strike just to see them sit together for dialogue. That effort too went in vain. Their dislikes for each other seem to grow, giving rise to the fear of confrontational politics in the country.
Finally, the judiciary stepped in and issued a ruling to make them sit together. But they are yet to respond.
They are none other than the nation’s two top leaders — ruling Awami League President Sheikh Hasina and her archrival BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.
None of the two leaders has responded to the High Court ruling that was issued five months back over the holding of a dialogue between them to resolve the ongoing political crisis, according to court sources.
Following a writ petition, the HC on March 27 issued the ruling on both the prime minister and the leader of the opposition to explain in four weeks why they should not be directed to sit for a dialogue.
People think a new dawn could break on the country’s political landscape if the two leaders talk to each other, which still seems to be a distant dream.
However, both the leaders never forget to do one thing. They greet each other during Eid festivals, but not in person. They exchange greeting cards through their messengers.
Supreme Court lawyer Eunus Ali Akond filed the writ petition with the HC seeking its directive on the two leaders to initiate discussions at the earliest to shun the path of confrontation and formulate guidelines to hold the next parliamentary election in a free, fair and acceptable   manner.
He stated that the life and properties of people as well as the country’s economic development are at stake due to the ongoing political crisis that must end for the sake of the nation and the people.
Lawyers for both Hasina and Khaleda told The Daily Star that they had not replied to the ruling since the court had issued the order beyond its jurisdiction.
Additional Attorney General MK Rahman, who represents the prime minister in this case, said the HC cannot issue any directive on political parties for holding discussions.
“The political crisis cannot be resolved through the court of law,” he said.
Rahman, however, said they might reply to the ruling at the hearing of the case.
Khandker Mahbub Hossain, a lawyer and adviser to Khaleda, said the HC had no legal mandate to issue such ruling.
“We will not give any reply to the ruling,” he said.
Petitioner Akond told The Daily Star that he would pray to the HC soon for holding the hearing and giving a directive in the case, as the people as well as the UN and the USA are calling for talks between the two leaders.

Source: The Daily Star