Hasina's no to vengeful politics

Yesterday, we focused on the prime minister's call for enlightened politics (Alokito Rajniti). Today, we greet the promise made by opposition leader Sheikh Hasina in her speech that she wouldn't indulge in politics of vengeance if she returns to power. When politics has gotten to the level of seeking obliteration of each other, Sheikh Hasina's statement not to pay the BNP back in its coin sounds like spreading the olive branch.

The change of tone, at this stage perhaps more on the part of opposition leader than that of the PM, may have marked the beginning of electoral politics. The fact that they are striving to endear themselves to the people augurs well.

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Whether the public will take Sheikh Hasina's repudiation of vengeful politics at its face value may be something to ponder, though. When in power Sheikh Hasina had promised not to call hartal if she would be in the opposition. But she has.

Nevertheless, we believe that just as Begun Zia hit the nail on the head by stressing the need for 'enlightened politics' so also has Sheikh Hasina made a correct diagnosis of the national political ailment by emphasising the necessity for eschewing vengeful politics.

Another positive feature of opposition leader's speech is she did not ask for toppling the government. She has demanded early polls which is not outside the norm of democratic politics. But whilst the opposition can demand snap polls they cannot impose the same on the people. That will be undemocratic, unconstitutional. The right to declare dates for general election rests with an elected government.

The best electoral politics the opposition can now do is to direct it energies towards mobilising public opinion in its favour by staging massive rallies and forming human chain, marking a complete departure from hartal, the surest route to unpopularity.

They should join the parliament to stay in, without any further vacillation.

The opposition has expressed doubts as to whether the next general election would be free and fair. People would like to be convinced about the assumptions they are basing their suspicion on.