THE Opposition parties had boycotted the 10th Parliamentary election in Bangladesh on January 5. The turnout was low-5% to 35%. Violence erupted, 20 people were killed and several polling stations were attacked by Opposition goons. The Awami League is reported to have secured 104 out of 147 seats to which elections were held. 153 out of the total 300 seats are up for grabs. The polls were legitimate. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) stayed away. But the elections followed the guidelines of the Bangladesh Constitution. The caretaker system was abolished in 2011 according to a Constitutional amendment following a Supreme Court order. The Awami League had offered to form an all-party government to conduct the elections. But the Opposition nixed the proposal.
Bangladesh polity is poisoned by mistrust and violence. Democratic institutions have taken a hit. The two main parties are sunk in narrow interests. It is conceivable that the BNP would have won if it participated. It had won a number of local elections in the last two years. But it took to street politics and strikes. All this is detrimental to the interests of an emergent Bangladesh. Economic and social development in the country depends on constitutionalism making short work of political bickering. The Awami League and the BNP need to hold talks. If the BNP shuns its destructive path, Prime Minister Hasina Wajed is ready to go for fresh elections. India has indicated its support to Hasina’s claim to form a government. But the US wants a fresh poll. It is in India’s interest to mediate between the two major parties in Bangladesh. The BNP should accept Hasina’s offer. That will bring stability to Bangladesh and promote India-Bangladesh relations.
