Although people have been witnessing war of words among most senior leaders of the two major political parties over the next polls, two relatively lenient leaders — Osman Farruk of BNP and Saber Hossain Chowdhury of Awami League — on Saturday looked confident about having a solution to the long-drawn political crisis very soon.
They also echoed each other in their sincere belief that the crisis over the form of the election-time government can be resolved by no one other than the two major parties.
Talking to reporters after a dialogue on Disaster Risk Resilience, organised by Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) at Brac Centre, they both stressed that there is still scope for an amicable solution through a dialogue between the two parties.
BNP chairperson’s adviser Osman Farruk said: “The dialogue can take place anytime, anywhere. Both (the parties) are responsible for the recent instability, but the party in office has to be more liable for it.”
Farruk added that the crisis over the form of the government was created by the 15th amendment to the constitution and it could easily be avoided by the ruling party.
However, there is still hope as the Supreme Court verdict in this regard keeps a provision for holding two more national polls under neutral governments.
Farruk also noted that the recent political crisis is also leading to social and economic instabilities.
He said it cannot be denied that the country is in a deep political crisis. “We’re moving towards a collision. It’ll be worse than facing a natural disaster in terms of public sufferings.”
Asked about the intervention of any alternative force, he brushed aside the possibility. The way-out lies with the two parties, he said.
BNP is ready to sit for a dialogue, if the agenda of forming an election-time government with neutral figures is included in it.
AL leader Saber Hossain Chowdhury, also a former political secretary to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, said: “There’s still time. We hope the dialogue will take place.”
Asked whether AL is willing to sit for a dialogue on the agenda of the interim government, he said: “A dialogue can’t take place with your limbs tied in ropes. The dialogue is needed to find out how people’s right to vote can be ensured,” he said.
Sought comments on the possibility of intervention by other forces if the political parties fail to resolve the crisis, he said: “It’ll surely be resolved? Why should we think otherwise?”
Source: UNBConnect
