Editorial
BNP's intention to join JS welcome
We look forward to an informed critique
THAT most lawmakers of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) have reportedly indicated a willingness to attend parliament goes down as an auspicious piece of news. For with the principal opposition keeping out of parliament, the electorate were denied the oversight role of the opposition, which is an important component of a working democracy.
As the party's leaders told the press, they would register their protests against the accords that the ruling Awami League have reached with India both within and outside of the House because, what they perceived was done against Bangladesh's interest. Their express purpose is to press the Treasury Bench to hold discussion on those and other issues.
Somewhat bellicose as their tone might sound, it would undoubtedly be a wise political decision on the part of the main Opposition to engage the Treasury Bench in a debate in a bid to present their viewpoints across to the nation and benefit the government by any wise counsel they might have on offer. This is also an affirmative departure from the culture of distancing from the JS, while the burning issues keep piling on.
May we add, had they maintained the habit of attending parliamentary sessions, even if for critiquing the government for its failures on the different aspects of governance that would have benefited both the government and the people at large.
Only through keeping to this parliamentary practice they would have been better placed to avail themselves of the opportunity of demanding a discussion on what would be on the government's possible agenda ahead of the prime minister's scheduled visit to India. They could have given their inputs. Though it has not happened, still if on joining the parliament the BNP has a constructive say in the matter that will be a value addition to the parliamentary discourse on the subject.
Therefore, we hope that without any further ado, the BNP would see fit to join the JS and hold informed debates and not just indulge in shrill diatribes and protest for protest's sake.
For their joining parliament will enable the wider audience to judge for themselves the merits and demerits, if any, of the accords signed between the two prime ministers. In turn, people will be able to form their own informed opinion about the rationale or otherwise of the agreements.
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