The New Nation - Internet Edition

Achinta Sen

Tajul Islam, formerly Jatiyo Party Minister, in a recent TV talk predicted that there would be no general elections on December 18. Many others are of the opinion that elections may be held on schedule but it will not be universal. Already four-party alliance led by BNP had expressed its reluctance to take part in election if their 5-point demand is not met.

Awami League and BNP share common position that state of Emergency must be totally lifted and upazila election should be postponed for one month.

Barrister Rafiqul Haq, lawyer of Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia said that they ruled the country for 15 years. He said the two leaders ran the state successfully. After One Eleven the country has gone much backward in the last 20 months. Those who carefully follow Fakhruddin regime will feel how difficult it is to run a government. Those who run the country must talk with the opposition. If the two leaders do not come forward to understand each other's position, the Third Force will then again take over, Rafiqul Huq said.

Rafiqul Huq was confused at the government conduct on Hasina's last case.

He termed the government lawyers' position on the question of Hasina's bail petition as self-contradictory.

Later, Barrister Rafiqul Huq told the journalists present there "Government and I have been trying to bring the two leaders face to face. On Wednesday I had talk with Law Minister. He said take the bail of Hasina. But the government lawyers opposed the bail petition of Hasina.

Khaleda Zia welcomed the initiative for trilateral talks between BNP, Awami League and the Government. She also said the people in the BNP who had negative image would be gradually removed from the party.

She expressed her opinion in a meeting with the four Advisers of the government.

But things are not going to be smooth and easy. When Rafiqul Haq consulted with Shaikh Hasina, her reaction was positive. But she told the lawyer she alone could not take such a vital decision. She had to first consult her party leaders.

Khaleda Zia can alone take decisions but Hasina cannot. Moreover, there is strong lobby in the Awami League who are opposed to any form of dialogue with the BNP.

Awami League leaders say, now is the time for contesting in the election. The people will now decide about the image of two leaders, and activities of two parties in the last 5 years and they will cast vote accordingly.

The role of the government is to pave the way to free, fair and credible elections which would he accepted both at home and abroad.

In the election politics there is no need for a meeting between two supremos of BNP and Awami League, AL leaders say. They also hold the view that the leaders, meeting must be on specific issues. The meeting will be fruitless if there is no agenda.

One leader stands for abolition of communalism and Islamic militancy, while another leader is tolerant of communalism and fundamentalism. The leader who will be voted to power and the leader who will sit in the opposition can go for discourse on specific issues.

The members of the civil society are of the opinion that the two leaders' summit will not resolve all the problems. And if the talks fail, there will be great disappointment among the people.

Meanwhile, Acting General Secretary of Awami League Ashraf remarked that politics be allowed to be handled by politicians. Lawyers should do their own job.

Barrister Rafiqul Huq took serious exception to Ashraf's conduct. Then Acting President of Awami League Zillur Rahman apologised to Rafiqul Huq for Ashraf's 'irresponsible conduct'.

Politics will now be intense as Eid-ul-Fitr is over. Khaleda Zia will kick off her electioneering from a new house in Banani.

Awami League will start working in the first floor of Sheikh Hasina's office in Dhanmondi. Awami League will attempt to further expand the grand alliance. Four-party alliance led by BNP will also try to beef up the alliance. So we should be prepared for confrontational politics.

Meanwhile, there is another development. The Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed has said his Caretaker government wants to continue with the state of Emergency until general election as he thinks emergency will help control the old tricks of money and muscle power during the polls.

In an interview with the Time magazine in New York where he was to attend the 63rd UNGA session, he also said it would depend on the Election Commission whether or not the former prime minister, Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina would be allowed to stand for election.