Editorial
BNP's thoughtful indication
The sign of maturity is welcome
WE are happy, as must be the electorate in general, to see some signs that the BNP is shaking off its initial diffidence in accepting the reality of the popular verdict at Monday's general election. The party's secretary general Khandaker Delwar Hossain indicated on Thursday that the BNP has no mental barrier in the Awami League's forming the government and running the country with the BNP keeping a watchful eye on its performance. He hasn't forgotten to mention in a curiously, but understandably, nuanced fashion that a 'so-called elected government' is better than an unelected one.
Although a clear affirmation or indication of an acceptance of the people's verdict is missing, we regard the BNP's gesture as manifestly reflecting signs of political maturity and correctness. We would also like to call it a quick welcome change of heart spurred on by a realisation of what will be in the best interest of the party and what would tune into the popular mood and global expectations.
Actually, the party has given out signals of settling down to playing an effective role as opposition in the parliament, something which the verdict has not only assigned to them but is also a constitutional requirement. The BNP's secretary general has expansively stated, not without a focus on his party's role, "We as well as the people will watch and monitor whether and how the Awami League fulfils the pledges it made before the parliamentary election. People across the globe will also see."
We would say to the BNP that it should come wholeheartedly out of its initial stupor and readily wearing the mantle of the opposition, go forward to test the government for all its commitments and pledges, monitor its activities and constructively engage the government in the parliament and outside to ensure national stability and rapid development of the country. If the BNP's monitoring and criticism of the government are objective, fair and constructive then it can rely on support from independent media and the people.
Sheikh Hasina in her pinnacle of triumph has given out a robust signal of engaging the opposition when she asserted that they would not be judged by their number. She has also wisely toned down the celebratory mode. These are by far the most categorical signals of deference that the BNP must appreciate and lend due credence to.
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