Editorial
PM's reaction to loss of Habiganj seat
Such wisdom be reflected in other areas too
The Prime Minister's remarks, made at a meeting with the UK Chapter of the AL in London, that the loss of the Habiganj seat in the recent by-election might have cost the party a seat in the parliament but has gained the AL a political victory by ensuring a free and fair election, are very wise indeed.
The PM deserves compliments for seeing her party's defeat as a gain for democracy. Seldom, if ever, do we get to see defeat being glorified, more so by the party in power. She has very correctly identified the ramification of the election results and acknowledged the voice of dissent. And this augurs well for a change in our political culture. In past, defeat was always laid at the doors of the rivals, and the agencies were blamed for the wrong reasons.
Indeed, the recent elections have been a victory for democracy and politics, and all concerned, including the ruling alliance, can rightly take credit for having conducted the elections with the least amount of disruptions.
We believe that the PM has come out with profound thoughts, and come as they do, after an electoral defeat, that many considered to be a benchmark of the her party's performance of the last two years, reflect a psyche that has been able to not only internalise the reality but accept it with good grace.
In this context we would hope that such an attitude, driven by enlightened thoughts, are extended to other areas of the activities of the party, of the government and of the administration too. We would hope that other dissenting voices are given weightage and due consideration since that would ultimately help the party and the government to devise remedial measures.
Unfortunately, our experiences of the government's attitude to those who chose to see differently with its policies, or were critical of its actions in certain respects, have been rather disappointing. Castigating one's critics or maligning them through a well orchestrated agenda of the government, or denigrating the name of an institution or a person of international fame, or even taking legal action for critical comments in newspapers, do little to enhance the credibility of a party which had fought against government opacity, for freedom of expression, right of association and right to information.
While welcoming the refreshing change in attitude of the PM we would hope that it will be sustained and would indeed rub off on her party and cabinet colleagues. And we hope too that the opposition would also have the prudence to accept the reality instead of offering what are, at best, tenuous criticisms.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments