Option before BNP

Regrettably, both the Awami League and BNP, to the detriment of their own parties have toyed with Jamaat. But, the AL, to its credit, de-linked itself from the party early in the day whereas the BNP brought it to the government and opened up avenues for the latter to cash in on it and promote its party agenda. This has reverberated as something of a shift on the part of BNP from its original centrist policy as laid down by President Ziaur Rahman, to a far-right orientation.

A review of events relating to the series of bombing incidents particularly during the past several months do point a finger at BNP's main coalition partner having links with perpetrators as evidenced by confessional statements made by some of those arrested in connection with the blasts. However, one sees an attempt on the part of BNP leadership not to recognise the growing evidence of Jamaat's links to terrorism, come what may. We thus believe and are of the conviction that the time has come for BNP to take a clear and firm stand on the issue both for the sake of the party and the nation at large.

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Our concern has been further heightened by the statement made by one of the top JMB leaders, Hannan regarding the tacit assurances he received from some key BNP leaders of his full protection. Rightly or wrongly, this has also raised some serious questions in the minds of the people about BNP's sincerity in dealing with rising incidences of religious extremism.

If Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia meant what she said in her address to the nation, then her options are clear: she has to punish those in her coalition involved in terrorist acts

Any further loss of time will jeopardise not only the future of BNP, but also the future of the entire nation.