A. few days ago our democracy was at stake. After two years of hiatus, we have again embarked on the road to democracy through the Awami League's winning a landslide victory at the elections. The result is unprecedented in our political history. Having the earlier experience of the BNP regime vivid in our minds, we are worried that this absolute power could lead the AL to an unfair exercise of power and consequently dysfunctional democracy.

It has been said that absolute power corrupts absolutely. In a democratic system there is a governing party and an opposition party. Both opposition party’ and ruling parties have a significant role to play in making the democratic system work. In the new parliament, we have a fragile opposition party. So to make parliament more effective, the ruling party can

offer the opposition party some posts such as deputy speaker and so on. It will set a new trend in our politics.

Md. Zonaed Emran Un wersi ty ofDhaka

Having spent two years in a very turbulent situation, we are very much optimistic that the present parliament will run smoothly and will be a pivotal place to deal with all political issues with the lively participation of both the ruling and opposition parties. In that way, the aspirations of the people of the country can be fulfilled. The ruling party should be magnanimous enough to allocate ample time and opportunity to the opposition for discussion on the issues in parliament. Moreover, the speaker should allow sufficient time to the opposition to address all those notices that will be served either by

the opposition or the ruling party.

To make parliament more functional and effective and a centre for all political discussions as well as enactment of laws and rules of business, where both ruling and opposition parties will give their valuable in-depth insights by participating in open discussions and stating the merits and demerits of the issues before they go for final placement forvoting.

We know the ruling party is stronger now and with its numbers it can even go for any change or enact any law without the support of the opposition bench. But I am sure the ruling party would not go for such an approach.

In line with democratic principles both ruling and opposition parties are equally responsible in parliament for any rules and laws enacted and hence accountability will be equally shared, if it goes right or wrong. One of the main mechanisms in the parliamentary process to oppose any decision of the ruling party is a walkout and this is adopted in case of extremely unfavourable situations when an issue placed by the ruling party could lead to pernicious effects on party politics or does not call for opposition support.

In order to make parliament a place for a resolution of all political issues, let emphasis be placed on building a harmonious relationship between the ruling and opposition parties. Only that will ensure development, peace and prosperity.

Nasarullah

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