Editorial
The BNP's boycott of parliament
It owes it to its constituents to speak for them in JS
THE continuing absence of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party and its erstwhile ally in government, the Jamaat-e-Islami, threatens to put at risk the new phase of democracy inaugurated through the general elections of December last year. Indeed, the BNP had pledged in its election manifesto that if voted to power it would go for laws that would put an end to the pervasive culture of a boycott of parliament by political parties. Obviously, the BNP did not get back to power. But should that be any reason for it now to stay away from a legislative body in which it castigated the opposition in its own days in power? The BNP, in line with its manifesto, could on its own take the initiative of proposing legislation aimed at doing away with the boycott culture. That way, it will not only convince people that it has gone for a reinvention of itself but also encourage them into believing that change in the political mindset is also in the offing
The reality today is that by deliberately ignoring parliament, the BNP has not been making matters easier for itself as well as for democratic governance. Its continued insistence on more front row seats for its lawmakers, despite the fact that the speaker has already allocated it seats beyond what its present numerical position in the JS entitles it to, has put a damper on the proceedings of the JS. It sends out a bad signal to its local constituents as well as the international community. If a party which has more than once in the past been in government, its pique at its present status can only raise questions about the mindset of its leading figures. Add to that an extraneous issue the BNP has raised as a justification for not taking part in parliamentary proceedings. It has demanded that, along with the front row seat allocation issue, the government put a stop to the move to have Begum Khaleda Zia vacate her cantonment residence. There are a couple of points to be made here. First, the issue of the opposition leader's home has no bearing whatsoever on the functioning of parliament. Second, the matter is now within the jurisdiction of the court, which will have the final say on it. The BNP, in its own interest, must rethink its politics where its position on the two issues is concerned.
The party has also begun to peddle the notion that the ruling Awami League is determined on turning the Jatiyo Sangsad into a one-party parliament by keeping the BNP out. That assessment is not only sad but also preposterous because the BNP has, despite the appeals of the treasury bench and the speaker, chosen to stay out of the House. To boycott parliament and then to suggest that it is becoming a one-party show is a flimsy pretext that does the opposition little good.
It is our view, one we believe is shared by everyone holding faith in democracy, that in order for pluralist politics to be sustained and strengthened, the BNP should reconsider its position and return to the House. It garnered no less than 38 per cent of the popular vote at the last elections, which certainly imposes on it a grave responsibility to speak for its supporters.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments