Courtesy Daily Star 2/6/11 The PM has turned down the recommendations of the special parliamentary committee on constitutional reforms to continue with the caretaker system for two more terms. She had taken umbrage at some newspaper reports which, to her, conveyed the impression that it was she who was responsible for doing away with the caretaker system. Of course it was the Supreme Court which has declared 13th Amendment illegal and she was only reiterating the legal bindings that the verdict has placed on her government. But that being said, it is also matter of public perception that while it is the verdict that has put the final nail in the caretaker's coffin, it is the From what has eventuated thus far, one must unreservedly admit that the Awami League's handling of the Constitutional issues, particularly of the caretaker system, speaks volume of the party's political astuteness that is capable of looking far ahead. The prime minister's dismissal of any thoughts of continuing with the system, citing legal obligation, was a piece of political masterstroke delivered with the panache of a hardened politician. And that is just as we had predicted it would be, in the final outcome of things. The prime minister has merely followed a very well defined path which, one must admit, emerged from well thought-out and well-scripted plans. Since the verdict of the highest judiciary is incontrovertible, the party cannot be faulted for its stance on the caretaker system, a stance which fulfills all legal requirements. But while the legal aspect can never be overlooked, there is a moral facet of our behaviour that should be exhibited in one's conduct, particularly when it has to do with the country's political stability. And if the BNP finds itself left in the lurch it is only because the party leadership failed to anticipate We are not at all surprised at the turn of events, as we had predicted in these very columns a fortnight ago exactly what has come to pass. Judicial fiats can come in handy; they help to explain away many things. But it may not help to avert a political crisis that may not only result in a political stalemate but may also bring about a serious national crisis. And we are again constrained to repeat our anguish, as has been done by many quarters, including a major component of the It is difficult to accept that things have changed since 1996. The PM's comment to the media that 1996 was a different set of circumstances doesn't sell. On the contrary, if anything, the hiatus between the parties has widened and the animosity has become more intense. To say that there is deficit of trust between the There is no point taking shelter behind the SC verdict. One finds it ridiculous that the Notwithstanding the SC verdict there are indeed compelling reasons to revisit the issue of caretaker system. Politics cannot be about assuming power only and holding on to it by any means. It is also about ensuring peace and stability. And both seem to be under threat.
Touché Awami League
The writer is Editor, Defence & Strategic Affairs, The Daily Star
Sunday, June 5, 2011
[ALOCHONA] Touché Awami League
[Disclaimer: ALOCHONA Management is not liable for information contained in this message. The author takes full responsibility.]
To unsubscribe/subscribe, send request to alochona-owner@egroups.com
Your email settings: Individual Email|Traditional
Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required)
Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch to Fully Featured
Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe
Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required)
Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch to Fully Featured
Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe
__,_._,___