Dialogue, the only way out

I presume that ALL the demands of the opposition will not be met in any dialogue but progress towards reforms will certainly be made if there still remains any faith in the democratic process. Hartals only cause loss to the general public and the country as a whole.

To the best of my knowledge, the government has not declined to talk with any member of the opposition. I believe the opposition must talk with the government. If there is no progress then the people by and large may support any further action by the opposition. Talks are a must as the first step toward electoral reforms.

Street politics was fine to oust a dictator like Ayub Khan during Pakistan times or Ershad in the eighties. Things are different now. The present government was elected and is recognised internationally, in spite of all the corruption and other anomalies. If a change is required, it must come through a democratic process.

Dialogue on the proposed reforms will be held not between the BNP and the Awami League or between the Chairperson of the BNP and the President of the Awami League or between AL General Secretary and BNP Secretary General. It should and must be held between the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition. The Prime Minister will represent the Government side and the Leader of the Opposition will represent all the Opposition Parties. If any problem arises, then both the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition will sit together and through discussion solve that problem themselves. If it really happens, then a new dimension will be added to our national politics, and the country will be saved from chaos, hartals and violence. Democracy will be strengthened.

We often form human chain or observe token hunger strike on various issues or demands. Then why don't we act on this particular issue or demand?

Iqbal Ahmed, New Eskaton , Dhaka

Our leaders have again gone to their childhood game. Despite rising agonies, popular sentiment is reduced to hopelessness. We apprehend fresh onrush of hartal, agitation, police atrocities and even bloodshed. But the situation was created to avoid all such public sufferings. The dilatory exchanges of letters, high sounding press conferences, all went in vain. Leaders are planning to start it again, right in the streets playing with the lives and properties of general public.

We urge upon leaders of both the sides to act more reasonably and constructively to resolve the crisis. Can't Mr. Mannan Bhuiyan telephone Mr. Jalil to meet exclusively and form a working group to hammer out a solution? Can't they rise up to the occasion and show their sincerity to the people? Don't they understand that the opportunity is slipping away? They should not take patience of the people for granted.

M. Sanaul Huq, Uttara, Dhaka

In the recent reform talks, in response to opposition party's letter, the BNP proposed a 5- member committee from the 4-party alliance. This committee had Jamaat leader Ali Ahsan Muhammad Muzahid. The Awami League made a plea that Jamaat should be excluded from the talks.

The government included Ali Ahasan Muhammad Muzahid, but the AL will not accept it. If they accept it, it will be a political defeat for the 4-party alliance. So the possibility of a dialogue to pave the way for making free and fair election is a far cry.

Taslim Hasan Sabu, University of Dhaka