CPA conference

We believe the opposition had reason to feel aggrieved when it was not given its rightful place in the preparatory work done by a steering committee. Still, we would reiterate that though the grievances were well-founded and fully justified, the decision to boycott the conference is flawed and short-sighted for a host of reasons.

It is not the government, nor the opposition, which is playing host to the conference, rather Bangladesh as a nation is doing it. So, what is at stake is the standing of the country in the eyes of other Commonwealth nations.

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Parliament being the institution of and for both the government and opposition, the MPs, regardless of their party affiliations, are on an equal footing when it comes to an international conference of lawmakers like this. The CPA is a forum of parliamentarians and boycotting it would go against the very spirit of holding a conference among lawmakers of the Commonwealth countries.

A parliamentary conference of this stature and magnitude attaches same importance to all the lawmakers, whether of the ruling party or in the opposition. So, the association of the opposition right through to the end is a natural expectation of all concerned.

The AL leaders should also realise that they have made their point and the government's weakness in its very approach to the CPA conference has been exposed. The opposition's point of view has been well taken by the CPA leaders also. After all this, what remains for the AL to press the issue for boycott. If the AL continues to harp on the negative tune, it may only reinforce the impression that it is a stubborn and uncompromising party.

CPA conference is the biggest parliamentary meet in the world. It does not sound logical to bring national political divisions up in regard to participation in such an international forum.

So, the opposition should participate in the conference, leaving aside its differences with the ruling party. If the opposition boycotts it, it will lose the valuable opportunity of not only interacting officially with the assembled parliamentary delegates but also informally with them on the sidelines of the conference. There is still time to see beyond mutual antagonism and ensure that the delegates from the Commonwealth countries have the satisfaction of attending a full-house conference on such an august occasion.