[ALOCHONA] Daily Star Editorial 28/5/08 - AL Should Rethink

Daily Star Editorial

AL's extended meet decision for movement

 

It must be rethought in greater national interest

 

THE decision taken at an extended meeting of the Awami League, based on the sentiment of its grassroots leaders and workers, not to participate in the on-going dialogue and general elections unless party chief Sheikh Hasina is freed introduces a worrying new element into the political dynamics of the moment. The concern is fundamentally that if the AL sticks to its decision to boycott the voting, a situation will likely arise that can only complicate an already fraught political atmosphere. We at this newspaper have stated earlier that our politicians and our political parties must put the national interest above any other considerations. It is especially at a time like the present that such maturity is called for.

The sentiments involved in the Awami League's demand for Sheikh Hasina to be freed are understandable. However, we also note that as a party, the AL has traditionally been in favour of elections even in some of the most trying of circumstances. Where the exigencies of the present are concerned, it cannot but be the responsibility of the party and its leaders and workers to ensure that nothing is done that can jeopardise the holding of the elections promised for the end of this year. The fact that Sheikh Hasina herself has in a message to her party voiced her support for the elections must basically be taken into account.

The elections are yet six months away, but a process of dialogue aimed at facilitating a smooth passage back to democracy between the parties and the government is already underway. The Awami League, as a major stakeholder in national politics, should make its valuable contributions to the dialogue by being part of it and voicing its demands through it. And especially when the detained BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia has instructed her party to join the dialogue, the AL should also be part of the process.

The nation is in no mood for a return to the kind of chaos which caused the political changes of 11 January last year. Given such realities, it now becomes the responsibility of the Awami League to rethink its latest position regarding the dialogue. Political agitation on the streets at a time when the national endeavour is toward a peaceful return to democracy is farthest from the public mind. We therefore call upon the Awami League to uphold its own tradition by taking part in the dialogue and taking full preparations for the upcoming general elections. Surely its grievances and demands, let us reiterate, can be thrashed out at the dialogue.

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