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THE country is indeed passing through a critical time. It is already strained by the adverse effects of the abnormal hike of the oil prices in the international market. The upward swing of the exchange rate of dollar has also created adverse impact on the economy. The cost of living of the people has significantly increased. People blame the government for its failure to control the runaway prices of essential commodities. Overtaxed by all these, the weary nation is likely to face a new crisis, which is politics of vandalism. One can easily imagine how bad it would be for the people.
Our national politics has often been confrontational. Despite calls from different quarters including the business community, no one either in power or in opposition has paid any heed to the appeals for avoiding this destructive politics. But whatever bad happened in the past hit the common people -- all of those who are in the ordinary walks of life. But public agony has always remained out of consideration of the political leaders, both in the opposition and in ruling parties.
Recently, the opposition alliance has started the same old politics. They blocked the road, ransacked the vehicles without showing mercy to the poor drivers or owners who may have drawn big loans from banks for buying these vehicles. Watching of the current dialogue process, it does not seem that the government will concede the demands of the opposition. They will continue to stick to their points and the opposition will not leave the street.
Many business leaders have recently urged the opposition to find out alternative to hartals for pressing their demand as it is detrimental to the economy. As they face different pressures to retain the competitiveness in the international market, they have already voiced their concern at the destructive nature of emerging politics. The civil society members have a great responsibility at this moment. They must join hands to create pressure upon both the government and the opposition to solve the political problems across the negotiating table for the sake of saving the people from the ordeal of an adversely effected economy.
Abdul Kader
Mirpur, Dhaka
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