***Whether the tense and conflicting political situation will persist in 1993 or there will be a rapprochement and more understanding between the two sides, remains to be observed

A tense atmosphere prevailed to the political arena during the whole 92 when the country witnessed growing conflicts and sharp contnadicons among the major political parties

The year 1991 was grace fully marked by understand Ings and consensus between major political forces leading to the much-cherished switchover to the parliamentary system.

But the scenario changed in the following year 1992 when the differences among the po litlcal forces, particularly between the ruling BNP and mai nstream opposition the Awaml League (AL) widened. After a year of tussle, the BNP and the AL have now virtually reached a state of confrontation.

The .stream of events In the year also led to the polarisation of antagonistic forces — mainly the pro-liberation forces and the rightlsts-fundamentalists.

Following nine-years of relentless and united struggle, the democratic forces were crowned with victory at the end of 1990 when the autocratic regime of Ershad was ousted. The next year passed in the process of consolidating democratic achievements through holding of elections to the Jattya Sangsad, amendment to the constitution for a parliamentary system and establishment of a full-fledged parliamentary form of government. And all these were done

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in an unprecedented spirit of understanding between the BNP and the AL

A spilt In the much eulo gtzed understanding was sensed tn the second half of 1991 on the Indemnity Ordinance Issue raised by the AL. The split, visible from the very beginning of 1992. only widened with many more conflicting Issues

The year began with agita tion against the fundamental Ists after the Installation of Golam Azam as the chief of the Jamaat-e-Islamt on December 29, 1991 The Ghatak Dalal Ntrmu) Committee, an organ! satlon providing a common platform to pro-liberation forces, was formed to wage a movement against anti liberation elements in January 1992. The Nirmul Committee s movement gained momentum with the open support from the AL and other liberal and left parties

In the course of extending support to the Ntrmu! body, the AL did not spare the BNP and accused it of protecting the Jamaat and its leader Golam Azam.

Just two days tefore the planned public trial of Golam Azam by Nirmul Committee, the controversial Jamaat chief was arrested March 24 under Foreigners Act

But this government action did not pacify the movement, parilculairly because of the issuance of warrants of arrest against 24 organisers of the public trial that took place March 26 at the Suhrawardy Uddyan tn Dhaka

The ruling party came to an agreement with the opposition In Parliament for the trial of Golam Azam and withdrawal of cases against 24 of Nirmul body. This agreement eased the tense situation for a while, but the problem remained as the accord was not Implemented.

The BNP government had to face five hartals in 1992, of which, three were called by the Nirmul Committee In sup port of their demands. Of the other two. one was called by the AL on August 15 to protest the killing of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975. Another hartal was organised on August 20 by all the

opposition parties to protest attempt on the life of Workers party leader Rashed Khan Menon.

The first of the hartals called by the Nirmul body June 2 I was marked by clashes be tween the supporters of Jamaat and Its opponents. News men were alsoassaulted at the National Press Club by police creating much embarassment to the ruling party

The attempt on Menon, the killing of CPB leader Ratan Sen and the overall deterioration of the law and order situation sparked severe criticisms against the ruling party both inside and outside parliament. The BNP government even had to face a no-confidence motion, the first of Ms kind in Bangladesh, from the opposition in parliament.

The issue of the Indemnity Ordinance (Repeal) Bill submitted by the AL in August 1991 remained unresolved until the end of 1992 though the Special Parliamentary Committee met several times to discuss it. Lack of understanding between the BNP and the AL on the Indemnity bill

only Increased misunderstand Ings between them

There were widespread campus violence In the country during the past year, and in most cases the clashes oc currod between the student organisations supported by the BNP and the AL Observers believe that those clashes were the reflection of the strained relationship between the two political parties.

Political analysts also noted Increases in the exchange of hot words, accusations and counter-accusaltons between the leaders of the ruling and the opposition parties in the

Whether the tense and con fileting political situation will persist in 1993 or there will be a rapprochement and more understanding between the two sides, remains to be observed.

Meanwhile, the past year was also marked by some developments In major political parties.

From the beginning of the year. Awaml league faced problems with its youth front leader Mostafa Mohsin Mantu

which led to a split tn Juba Leage and finally. Mantu was expelled from the party tn May

AL leader Dr Kamal Hossain launched Bangladesh Democratic Forum on June 19 and was elected its convenor. Kama I s move was disapproved by Al. s rvntral leadership and he was dropped from party presidium during AL council session held Sept 19. However, he was included in AL's newly constituted advisory council, which Kamal declined to accept.

Zillur Rahman, a senior leader of the AL was surprisingly elected General Secretary of the party in its council.

There was a significant change in AL s economic policy and the party adopted market economy Instead of socialist one

There seemed to be a lull tn the organisational activities of the ruling party BNP during the year Party central leaders came under sharp criticism for the lack of activities at the meeting of BNP central executive committee held in December BNP also shifted its central office from Dhanmondi to a more central location at Naya Pallan.

Jattya Party of deposed president Ershad had some activities in the year JR's Secretary General Shah Moazzem Hossain was replaced by Khale dur Rahman Tito who was later arrested and charged under anti-terrorism act