Editorial
A welcome move
Nation now expects wiser leadership from Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina
WE welcome the release of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia on bail. We believe it bodes well for politics and the way will now be clear for a broad-based participation of all political parties at the general elections scheduled for the end of this year. It is our hope that Begum Zia's release now removes all the impediments that have so far prevented her party from taking part in a dialogue with the Election Commission. It is now our expectation that the party will take part wholeheartedly in all the preparatory moves aimed at a holding of the elections.
At this newspaper, we believe that the release of both Sheikh Hasina and Begum Zia basically removes the two most important hurdles to a normalisation of politics in the country. The Awami League and the BNP have both been vocal about the freedom of their leaders. We certainly take satisfaction from the fact that both major parties have now had their principal demands, namely, the freeing of their leaders, met. That should now clear the air and remove all suspicions and help the nation stride at full speed and without loss of time to the promised elections. In this context, however, we are happy to note the caveat served by no less a figure than Barrister Rafiqul Haq, legal counsel to both Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia and respected for his neutrality. He has noted that the two leaders and their parties must stop bickering and avoid a return to the conditions that led to the imposition of emergency on January 11 last year. These are surely words of wisdom at such a critical juncture in our national history as the present and should be paid careful attention to.
All said and done, we think it is only fair to remind both Begum Zia and Sheikh Hasina of the expectations the people of the country have of them. Those expectations are simple and yet high, which is that these two leaders now must set about improving the quality of democracy by moving away from the divisive politics of the past. Just as the people have stood by them through all their trials and tribulations in these past many months, so should they come forth with leadership that is wiser and more far-sighted than it has so far been. In simple terms, it now devolves on the two leaders to ensure a peaceful, constructive and development-oriented political future for Bangladesh.
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