**The internecine and intensely personal rivalry between the two leaders is a zero-sum game that has already brought the country to the edge of disaster.

A s in tne plot or a ciasai-Z\ cal Creek tragedy, the / Y country is Inexorably heading towards a disaster Instead of the hero of the play, whose sense of power and pride or hubris leads to his inevitable tragic fall in jhe □reek play. In the political drama of Bangladesh, the hubris of two leading characters has already taken the country to the edge of a precipice. But does it have to end in the inevitable tragic climax of the Greek play?

Most citizens, except the ntensely partisan ones, will igree with Mahfuz Arum (The rhird View. DSl 21 Decern tier), that the head of the ’Qvernment. by virtue of being entrusted by the nation with hat august position, has the {reater responsibility than tnyona else in the country to ead the nation out of the pre sent impasse.

The Prime Minister, to protect the welfare of the pro pie. to nurture the fragile lower of democracy, to iemonstrate that she places he nation's interest above the ;ains for her party, and indeed :o promote the interest of her Harty and her supporters in an enlightened way, (because, the nterests of her-party and of he country need not be In conflict) . must make bold and Historic moves. Before political srinkmanship reached a point >f no return, the Prime Minister must address the na-Jon to announce the following -inilateral steps.

.1. Exercising the preroga-Jve of the head of the government. the Prime -Minister should announce a mid-term election for- an appropriate date in 1995. It is the Prime Minister's right and no one

else s to go to tne pons ana asx lor the people s expressions of confidence In her before the full parliamentary term expires. There are frequent precedents for such a move in parliamentary democracies.

2. The Prime Minister should deciare unilaterally that i month before the announced late of th, polls, her cabinet would resign, and she would isk the president to take charge of an interim govern-nent according to the provi lions of the constitution. The tole task of the interim government will be to look after :he essential functions of the jovernment while the Election Commission holds a national election. The President would

laturaily consult witn political Hartles regarding the compos! ion of the interim cabinet.

3. The Prime Minister ihould announce proposals to establish full and true inde pendence of the Election Commission, granting, if necessary. authority and resources io conduct elecUons In a manner that is not only free and fair but is also perceived by the public to be so. The Prime Minister should offer to discuss her proposals for enhancing the independence and authority of the Election Commission with a represents live group of members of the political parties In the parlte ment. If Parliamentary consultation and action become impossible. necessary measures can be taken by administrative orders for the time being.

s me Prime Minister ihould announce a set of {round rules for equal access to and coverage in printed and electronic media of political programmes and platforms of Afferent parties as well as of campaign news, events and candidates themselves. Again Ibe Prime Minister should offer to discuss the proposed {round rules with a repre tentative group of Parliament nembers

5. The Prime Minister ihould Invite Intellectuals, professional organizations and ■octal workers at national, dis-rict. thana and local levels to orm non partisan citizens watchdog committees which would educate the public about

the democratic election process. draw public attention to any violation of fair campaign practices, and help create an environment for the Election Commission to carry out its re sponslbility well. The Prime Minister should also Invite International groups such as the Commonwealth Secretariat and the International Parlia mentary Union to send representatives to observe the holding of the national polls.

The Prime Minister as the head of the government and taking advantage of incumbency must seize the political initiative rather than continue to react to opposition moves. The above steps by the Prime Minister will be seen by the people as bold and responsible action by a national leader in the face of grave dangers to our nascent democratic tradi tion This perception of the public will surely have a bene ficial fall-out on her and her party at the polls.

The leader of the opposl tlon as the potential alternative head of the government Is the holder of an equally vital office as the Incumbent head of gov ernment in a parliamentary democracy. At the present critical Juncture, some bold unilateral action by the Prime Minister will benefit her and her party and serve the na tional interest, as argued above. By the same token, re straint. demonstration of wisdom befitting a statesman rather than a politician, and concern for a democratic culture and the welfare of the long-suffering messes of the country will serve the Interest of the leader of the opposition, her supporters and the nation. Resorting to methods that hurt the people, do not conform to the rules of the parliamentary democracy game and keep on raising the stakes in a national confrontation will not serve her or the nation well.

The leader of the opposl tion and her wise advisers have the same responsibility as the regime to nurture and uphold the democratic process and not to Jeopardies the chances of economic progress and improving the plight of the messes that. the global economic order may offer. Irrespective of what moves the government make, the impera tlves for the leader of the opposition now are the following

I A commitment to the people to press resolutely the demand for fair and free elections. but doing so adhering to the rules and practices of par liamentary democracy. Cails to civil disobedience and genera! strike are actions that must be taken only In extreme circumstances and on rare occasions when the ruling authority itself has no legitimacy or It violates the law grossly and flagrantly The demand for a ’caretaker government" Is not necessarily inappropriate, but pressing the demand in a way that undermines the democratic process will not help the party or the country

2 A reaffirmation of the goal — which Is strengthening the democratic process and practices and the means and the prime symbol of which is a free and fair national parliamentary election. Toppling the government may be a tactical means to this end. but cannot itself be the end. especially If this requires alliance with undemocratic and anti-freedom forces who have shown themselves to be against the founding principles of the nation. A general election will surely com? in 1995 or 1996. Unprincipled and opportunistic alliances Just to spite the regime will not be lost on the people and will not help the prospects of the opposition at the polls. The people will want to know what the price will be for the marriage of conve nienee with anti-democratic' and anti freedom forces if ihe opposition wins the election The explanation so far has been hardly convincing

for upholding 'democratic values, practices and Instltu does - detailing proposals for an independent and strong Election Commission, rules for adequate and eqfial access of all parties to the mass media diverting the government from the control of the electronic media and placing this control In the hands of independent public bodies, and support for citizens watchdog bodies for democratic elections. These measures must be promoted as permanent institutions to foe ter a democratic culture In the country which will not be de pendent on the mercies of a

caretaker" government.

These steps on the part of the leader of the opposition will strengthen people s confidence in her. will demonstrate her concern for the messes and her faith in the democratic process. The internecine and intensely personal rivalry between the two leaders is a zero-sum game that has already brought the country .to the edge of disaster. Leaders, it is not too late to step back from the precipice and turn the exercise of democracy into a constructive process for you. your parties and above all. for the country

The author, a well known international expert tn educa tion. who has worked tn Asia and Africa for many years and now stationed In New York, is currently on a visit to Bangladesh.