*** Letters for publication in these columns should be addressed to the Editor and legibly written or typed with double space. For reasons of space, short letters are preferred, and all are subject to editing and cuts. Pseudonyms are accepted. However, all communications must bear the writer's real name, signature and address. ***

'The resignation threat'

Sir, May I refer to the letter under the above headline which appeared in these columns on December 10,'93 describing the threat of resignation by the leader of. the Opposition as "causing an unnecessary ripple of anxiety through out the nation."

True there was a ripple. But It was not throughout the nation. The general mass of the people would have been happy to get an opportunity to exenjise' their right of franchise. After all, in the prevailing form of democracy it is only during the general elections that the people get the feel that they have cer-

tain rights and duties. Hence isn’t it the more the frequency of election the more the existence of democracy?

Indeed election Is the true test of democracy and stability of a government. Neither the ruling party nor the opposition | parties should be afraid of having to face an election, if there is the need. In the present context, the ruling party might say that due to frequent hartals nothing could be done. The opposition parties might say that the ruling party Is not only doing any reformative works but it ’ is also blocking the opposition Initiatives |n the Parliament. These two issues along with others could-be placed before the electorate.

In the UK the Conservatives are in power for quite some times. The opposition parties both in India and Pakistan are sharing powers alternately. The stability of these countries have not been eroded by the holding ' of general elections. In the United States, the Republicans had held power for a considerable period of time. Before that the Democrats were in power for more than two decades. Hence an election should not frustrate neither the party in-power nor those in the opposition.

General economy of a coun-try will boom only when stability of the government Is assured. And stability can be ensured only through elections when the people would have the feelings of Involvement with the government and its policies. It is through the elections that the policies are tested,

It is for this reason that the constitution framers of all countries make provisions such as “Unless sooner dissolved by the President, Parliament stands

dissolved on the expiration of the period of five years from the date of its first meeting".

Under the Parliamentary form of government the Prime Minister appears to have the privilege and the power to advise the President to dissolve the Parliament. The leader of the Opposition also, albeit by implicat on, has the privilege and the. right to agree with or protest against such an advice of the Prime Minister. It all depends or the situation and context of the particular decision.

To uphold democracy and, for that matter. Stability of the country, money should not pose a problem. Indeed compared with the expenditures of the government In other sectors, the cost of holding elections is not that much. Election will give the government the mandate to carry op its programmes more effective y. The neighbouring Pakistan and India are holding frequen. elections without jeopardising their stability. The economic policies of both of these countries have been further boosted.

There is, therefore, no need for any anxiety at the prospect of a general election if both the major parties feel so. Indeed the recent utterances of the prime minister and the leader of the opposition might serve as signals that something is wrong somewhere which needs to be corrected.

Khairuxxaman Kalabiigiin. Dhaka

BAU exam

Sir. On the preAsure of the students, the Vice Chancellor of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU). Mymensingh recently announced the cancelation and re-holding of Plant Pathology (theory) examination of Part-Ill B.Sc. Ag. (Hons) which was held on 4.12.93. The examinees demanded cancellation and re-examination of the paper because, according to them, the question was not common. On the other hand. Plant Pathology (theory) exam on the same question paper was held peacefully in all the three Agri Colleges of the countty In-

eluding tlanglactesh Agricultural Institute (BAI). Dhaka.

The Bangladesh Agricultural Institute Teachers' Association, in an emergency meeting, bitterly criticised the decision of cancellation arid re-holding of the said exam. The meeting observed with dissatisfaction that in case of Agricultural Colleges, the BAU hardly deviates from its stand even on any genuine ground of the formers'. Most of the time the BAU avoids taking steps in favour of the Agri Colleges on the plea of constraints in BAU s ordinance. This decision on exam would not only adversely affect the academic system but will also create instances for the students of Agri Colleges, which are running under the academic control of BAU It may be mentioned here that BAU is the sole authority for setting course curricula, question papers and examining the scripts.

M Zahklul Haque ' General Secretary BAI Teachers' Asswiutkxi Shere Bangla Nagar. Dhaka