Reform proposal -- visualising the end

Almost at the same time, at least two representative bodies, from the United States of America and the EC countries, visited Bangladesh. They had a common objective. It was to make an in-depth survey of the prospects and possibilities of a free and fair election in January 2007. Both the teams had met and talked to the government and opposition leaders, business leaders, social service activists and others who matter to get an unprejudiced report on the political scenario of the country. Concurrently, they tried in their own way to gauge public sentiment about the opposition's reform proposal. Eventually, they were able to measure the popular support in favour of the reform proposition, with particular reference to that of the Election Commission. Some off-hand comments from some of the members of the two representative bodies could tantamount to their support for this issue. About the induction of Mr KM Hasan as the chief of the caretaker government one member of NDI observed that being an office-bearer of BNP long time ago couldn't be a strong ground for his disqualification. Such a comment on the part of a foreigner was considered both unsolicited and uncalled for.

Between all these exercises the nation had also watched some effort by individuals for bringing the two sides to the table for a dialogue. The new US Ambassador, Patricia A. Butenis, has been a forerunner in this case. Like her European friends she, too, has been expressing her concern for the worsening political situation here. Practically, she was seen moving back and forth, and making personal contacts with the leaders of the government and the opposition political parties. On Monday, October 2 she invited Mr Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan, BNP Secretary General and Mr Abdul Jalil, Awami League General Secretary to tea at her official residence on Tuesday, October 3. Mannan Bhuiyan expressed his inability to attend while Abdul Jalil accepted the invitation.

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Hence her effort fell through.

But thanks to their good sense the clouds of uncertainty were removed. The dissension was evidently all due to "venue controversy." It was, however, good to see that they agreed on a place -- our Jatiya Sangsad Building -- most suited to such an important dialogue, and the first session took place at 11:30am on Thursday, October 05, for a little over one hour. A large crowd was seen waiting eagerly outside the cabinet room, and across the JS courtyard. The two leaders came out in jovial mood, expressed their satisfaction with the initial dialogue and said that they would sit again on Friday at 11:00am on October 06. We had a replication of the scene of the first day, a large crowd thronging around the meeting place to know the progress. It was made known to the press that things were running smoothly. They were in the process of understanding and explaining the reform proposal point by point. The next sitting was held on Sunday, October 8, at 7.30 in the evening. Their joint press briefing again was an expression of total satisfaction, the light of hope for a consensus seemingly lit. It was followed by another session on October 10, Tuesday, again to be followed by a further sitting on October 16. However, to spell out the ultimate outcome will be premature, but it can be said with utmost certainty that both will have to be mentally prepared to offer concessions without being rigid and stubborn in any manner.

The process involves reporting back to their respective alliances, which is, in itself, a very intriguing and arduous task. Intriguing I say, because the alliance level scrutiny shall have many brains at work. To thrash out a uniform line of thinking towards a common plan of understanding between the two contesting entities shall indeed be a very difficult exercise. More so, when the time for reaching a mutually acceptable agreement is running out fast. Still then, a divinely blessed goodwill on the part of both parties can, and will, bring the whole nation the blissful, most desired results eventually. It needs a sort of robust optimism to fight back the spectre of failure in this case.

Kazi Alauddin Ahmed is a management consultant.