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PM's offer and...

Syed Badrul Ahsan
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's invitation to the opposition last evening to join an interim all-party government had all the elements of sincerity in it. An all-party interim government, in a trouble-free democracy, would be a good idea. The trouble, though, is that ours has consistently been a confrontational, often destructive democracy. The prime minister's offer will, therefore, not evoke an equal degree of response from those it has been directed at. Additionally, there is the argument, a rather credible one, that the offer is "I am requesting the opposition leader to respond to my call. 11 hope) She [Khaleda Zia| will honour my request and value our sincerity."
The prime minister's offer comes at a time when further political unrest centring on the general election seems almost unavoidable.
In its initial reaction, the BNP last night spoke critically of the proposal, however. The main opposition party, which demands restoration of the caretaker government, would come up with its formal reaction after Khaleda sits with her party leaders tonight to discuss the latest development.
Talking to The Daily Star, several AL leaders said they preferred Hasina to be the head of the polls-time cabinet, but added talks could be held on the matter if the opposition wanted.
Replying to a query, a top AL leader said they would not send any letter to the opposition leader regarding the dialogue on formation of the interim cabinet.
According him and other leaders of the party, Hasina's call to the opposition leader is the formal invitation for talks.
"The prime minister through her address to the nation has formally invited the opposition to send names for inclusion in the interim government. If the secretary general of the BNP now contacts with our general secretary, a dialogue can take place anytime soon," AL Presidium Member Kazi Zafarullah told The Daily Star.
"It is now up to the opposition to respond to the call," he said, hoping that the BNP would act positively to resolve the crisis over the polls-time administration.
In her address, Hasina hinted dissolution of parliament before the election. In this regard, she explained the constitutional provision for holding the polls within 90 days since October 25.
She said according to article 72 (1) of the constitution, election would be held as per the written advice of the prime minister to the president. The Election Commission would announce the polls schedule.
"1 will advise the president in due time in consultation with all parties, particularly the grand alliance, so that the election can be held within the stipulated 90 days. In this regard, I expect advice from the opposition party too."
Under article 72(1), parliament shall be summoned, prorogued and dissolved by the president through public notification, and when summoning parliament the president shall specify the time and place of the first sitting. And the president shall act in accordance with the advice of the prime minister.
Hasina's proposal, however, is nothing new in the country's politics. Almost a similar proposal was rejected by Sheikh Hasina in 1994.
To break the political stalemate, Sir Ninian Stephen, a special envoy to the then Commonwealth secretary general, had proposed formation of an allparty cabinet at the time, when the AL-led opposition parties were agitating for introduction of a nonpartisan caretaker government system.
According to Sir Stephen's formula, an 11-member cabinet would be formed with the then prime minister Khaleda Zia in the chair. Five cabinet members would come from the ruling BNP and five from the AL and other opposition parties. And the interim cabinet would give all-out support to the Election Commission for holding the polls.
Khaleda and her party had accepted the formula then.
In her address, Hasina, also president of the AL, rejected the BNP-led opposition's demand for restoration of the caretaker government.
But she spoke for holding talks with the opposition to resolve the political crisis. "The door for discussion remains open. Keep confidence in the people and shun the path of criminal activities. Come to parliament and say what you want to say."