Attack on victory procession

Needless to say, this has done more harm to the democratic credentials of the BNP than any perceived long-term setback that the defeat in the Munshiganj by-polls might have. This senseless violence by its supporters has smeared the image of the BNP.

We strongly condemn this act and feel that it is up to the BNP to prove that such an act is an aberration rather than the normal behaviour of its supporters by bringing the culprits to book and denouncing such acts of violence.

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We cannot but also express our concerns at the reaction of the BNP high command to the recent by-election result. An election result is the reflection of the electorate's feelings and the manifestation of their preference, and a way of sending a message to the ruling party. One might even consider it a wake-up call. While the BNP should rightly take cue from the message of the voters, the opposition need not over-exaggerate the significance of the defeat of the ruling candidate either.

Our concerns stem from the remarks of some BNP leaders following the Munshiganj defeat. It appears that they have taken this as a do-or-die matter and feel that the Dhaka-10 seat must be won at all cost. This frame of mind, we suspect, might prompt the BNP to replicate a 'Magura' in Dhaka-10, which will be even more damaging to its credentials.

BNP and its coalition partners enjoy an overwhelming majority in the Jatiyo Sangshad and one or two losses cannot make a big dent in their parliamentary ranks.

Winning elections is important, but it is not the be-all and end-all of politics. This electoral loss should prompt introspection by the BNP policy makers, rather than vengeance directed at their political opponents. It is time the BNP woke up to the reality before its otherwise besmirched credibility is further damaged.