Letters will only be considered if they carry the writer's full name, address and telephone number (if any). The identity of the writers will be protected. Letters must be limited to 300 words. All letters will be subject to editing.

Analysing politics

Forming a national government based on cooperation among the pro-liberation forces was always out of the question for the Awami League. The analysts rate this as one of the greatest weaknesses of the AL . The AL's anti-communist, antisocialist face is not a mask, it is a reality. So far we know, the AL really does not appreciate the idea of being too close to the successors of the communists or socialists . But the party can't afford to lose their support at this juncture of time . Possible coalition partners of the AL, as has been reported in the press, would have trouble in a probable coalition

as well, should the movement succeed, because the AL leadership is opposed to the ideas of communists or socialists.

We can have the real picture within a few days, however, but to me, the AL has successfully postponed the critical moment by taking advantage of the callousness of the BNP leadership that facilitates various political and non-political groups to come closer to the anti-government movement. Certainly, the situation resulted in fierce quarrels amongst different political groups, with each side blaming the other for being perfidious (the coalition government to the opposition) or unable to man-

age anything, even such important issues of civil security and erratic market behaviour (the opposition to the coalition government).

We're in a breeding ground of civil unrest -- some politicians may have been benefited from the situation but what will happen to the people?

Sirajul islam

Social sciences researcher and consultant

Pisciculture Housing Society, Shyamoli, Dhaka

Water crisis

The Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (WASA) did sink a deep-well at the former pass-

port office located at New Eskaton area six years back to mitigate the shortage in water supply around the pump location. During the past years, too many multi- storied apartments have been built and more are in the process of being built, while no other additional water supply source has been created in this area. Thus water shortage is felt acutely by the dwellers of this locality. Recently, road dividers have been demolished and built again, surface drains were totally distorted before the job was complete by laying additional telephone cables and so on.

The City Corporation street lights

are neither put off in time nor lit in time as one can see street lights in broad daylight. Money thus wasted can definitely finance several deep tube-well pumps here and there in Dhaka city where water crisis is acute.

The Annual Development Plan (ADP) has an average expenditure budget of around Tk 18,000 crore but many expenditures are not for the benefit of the common masses or taxpayers.

However, deep tube-wells should be sunk immediately at Eskaton and many areas in order to meet the water crisis.

Mahbubar Rahman

Dhaka

After April 30

What is going to happen after April 30? This has been the talk of the country as the main opposition, Awami league, has predicted that the government will not survive after that date. If it sticks to its position, which has so far been very aggressive, the month of April will undoubtedly present some gruesome and undemocratic scenes to the countrymen. The law and order situation has worsened to an unimaginable level in the last few months. The paraphernalia for running the government is in absolute disarray.

Foreign entrepreneurs are reluctant to invest here, which is a great bane for us.

By setting the deadline, the AL has paved the way for chaos and confusion only. It is also unconstitutional to compel an elected government to resign.

ABM Shafiul islam

Dept. of English, Jahangirnagar University

Blame game

The game that is going on in the country can only be called 'Game of Blame'. The participants in the game are the government and the opposition. The opposition was, as usual,

quick enough to blame the government for the attack on Dr. Humayun Azad. On the other hand, the government was no less quick than the opposition to launch a counter-attack . It has accused the opposition of seeking excuses for creating a chaotic situation in the country.

We, the common people, do not and cannot trust any party until it presents evidences in favour of its claims.

Peter Hossain

Chandanpura, Chittagong