AL, BNP heading for confrontation:Daily Sun

Sheikh Hasina, Khaleda Zia Country’s political arena is unfazed with a looming uncertainty in the coming year as ruling Awami League is set to celebrate its first anniversary of assuming power after January 5 election and opposition BNP threatens to wage movement to unseat the regime declaring it a black day. Ruling Awami League is apparently determined enough to fulfill its five year tenure while
BNP and its allies are likely to take to climax their demand for a midterm election. BNP and its allies resorted to violent movement last year torching vehicles, damaging railway establishments, blocking highways and killing people across the country to resist January 5 election. They may consider another round of violent movement in 2015 to escalate its demand for election. That BNP would like to enforce a movement has been reflected in the statement of party’s chairperson Khaleda Zia. She indicated the format of the movement saying it will be short but effective. On the other hand, ruling party leaders even Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed their determination to thwart any movement. Health Minister Mohammad Nasim said Friday that their activists will remain ready in every locality to give a teeth-breaking reply to pro-opposition picketers. Food Minister Advocate Kamrul Islam and Disaster Management and Relief Minister Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya are saying same thing. In short, AL and BNP seem to be heading for confrontation. Political observers think there is no denying that election is the key to democracy. In our country, the word “election” has a different connotation. Political parties here want an election which will guarantee its “citadel of power”. Talking to daily sun, Prof Ferdous Hossain of Political Science Department of Dhaka University said “It appears from the statements of ruling and opposition parties that the political arena may be heated next year. Awami League has passed one year of its rule uninterruptedly. It has achieved confidence to fulfill five year tenure. Besides, BNP thinks one year is enough for the government. It will try to oust the regime by movement.” It will be litmus test for the both parties, he said, adding “The taste of success for ruling and opposition will depend on their respective organisational strength and public support.” Prof Gias Uddin Molla of Dhaka University’s Political Science Department said “All people are apprehending a confrontational course but I don’t think so.” He said BNP will try to campaign that January 5 election was not inclusive. Awami League will make people understand that it was constitutional obligation to hold the polls. BNP deliberately boycotted it. He further called upon both the parties to show restraint for the interest of the country and people at large. Prof Badiul Alam Majumdar, secretary of civil society platform Sushasaner Jonno Nagorik (SHUJAN), appended the country’s politics may gather cloud in the next year again. He said 153 MPs were elected uncontested and January 5 election was not inclusive. He spoke on the need for resolving the political standoff through dialogue and consensus. “Movement cannot bring sustainable situation. A party may be temporarily benefited from demonstration. It invites another disaster in the long run.” Speaking about all parties’ anticipation to go to power, he said the Election Commission should be strong enough to hold a free and impartial election without any bias. Dr Akbar Ali, former adviser of caretaker government, said “I know the prevailing political situation like other people. But I have no information to profess that political arena will be volatile in the next year.” Barrister Rafiqul Haque refused to make any comment over phone. He asked the reporter to go to him to collect his comment on the matter.