AND now the Leftists Alliance has got into the hartal act proving that alienation from public sentiment is the key to identity as a political construct in Bangladesh. The Leftists in the last decade have steadily lost support and now stand close to disappearing down the waterways of history. Unable to gather even one percent of the total vote and with no more than a few thousand in their best attended meetings, the Leftists are recognized more as 'also exist' in the political canvas of Bangladesh. This hartal call seems to be a desperate attempt to prove that. But the method they have chosen is contrary to the moral high ground, which the Left always claims. By calling hartal they prove that in spirit they are no different than the two parties that call the shots in Bangladesh.

Hartal as a political weapon is a discredited tool that causes destruction but exists like the two-stroke engine or polybags. It causes suffering for many and discomfort for all. But the Left has proven that when it comes to lack of imagination, it is not far behind the other major parties operating.

One does not dispute the political demands made by the Leftist Alliance but the method they have chosen is unacceptable. Had they wanted publicity for their demands, the media would have gladly helped out as they always do.

By calling a hartal without having much political clout, they risk being ridiculed at the national level. As it is, the electoral results have shown that the entire Left has less vote pulling power than the Pir of Charmonai and that indictment should have driven most Leftists to introspection. But if the hartal fails, they will have belittled the space they occupy in the world.

This is a bad day and sad day, a statement of force that has lost support, ideas and now moral purpose.