Editorial
Prospect for Hasina-Khaleda talk welcome
Both should meet with a positive frame of mind
THE very intent expressed by BNP and AL leaders Begum Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina has made upbeat headlines. Understandably so; for, historically they have been more non-communicative than communicative. For the most part, they virtually have not been on talking terms, even though in their alternating roles as leader of the government and the opposition, they were very much required to have had a working relationship in a functional democracy.
The point we wish to drive home is that they should have met each other in a normal course of events. Why must they wait to be nudged by lawyers, business leaders and foreign diplomats to sit across the table when they should have been doing so, of their own volition whenever circumstances demanded. So, what we would expect from the ice-breaking initiative which has got underway in earnest is not a one-off meeting but one that would herald a series of consultations geared to produce a positive outcome on taking the country forward through elections and peaceful transfer of power -- and beyond. Who can be oblivious of the fact that the country has suffered immeasurably through lack of communication between them?
There is an overarching consensus among the CTG, EC, political parties and the people at large over the urgent need for a transfer of power to an elected representative government. The stage is set for it and all the stakeholders should go about their tasks with a positive frame of mind coming unstuck from any positioning that could spike conduct of the election on the due date. Of course, the CTG and EC have the major role to play in ensuring free, fair and credible election, but the political parties have no less an important role in making it possible through peaceful campaigning and unfailing participation which in turn will encourage the voters to come out in great numbers to exercise their right to franchise.
For the talks to be held and held productively, no pre-conditions should be attached to them and the leaders ought to approach it with an open and flexible mind to yield some result.
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