If I were Sheikh Hasina, this is how I would respond to Khaleda Zia’s statement:
“I am heartened by Begum Khaleda Zia’s recent statement condemning my illegal detention and arrest. I welcome her call to the present administration for protecting the rights of the citizen. I reiterate my commitment and rededicate myself to the rights, dignity and honour of every citizen of this land, regardless of caste, creed or party affiliation.
I also welcome Begum Zia’s commitment to national consensus and stability. While I too have been hurt in the past by her various hurtful attacks against myself, my family, and the memory of Bongobondu, my personal grievances have no place in our politics. Our people should not be made to suffer for our personal feelings and failings. Indeed, I ask the nation to forgive us if it may have seemed in the past that our own grievances rather than the needs of the people motivated us. I welcome the spirit of reconciliation embedded in Begum Zia’s statement. I look forward, with hope, towards the day when this spirit animates our work and that of our parties as we build a nation that fulfils the aspirations of those who sacrificed themselves for its liberation.”
Joy bhai - are you listening?
Instead this is probably what we’re going to hear:
*** Crickets chirping **** Silence **** Crickets chirping****
Or perhaps:
Even in her statement Khaleda Zia forgets to give the father of the nation, Bongobondhu, his due. I am hurt as his daughter. This conciliatory statement will only be welcome if it is sincere. Will BNP make up for the assault that it has made on lakhs of our workers in the last five years? Will they ask the nation for forgiveness for destroying democracy in this country and creating the monster of military rule in 1975 when they brutally murdered my family? I and my children have never stolen from our people. So many institutions around the world have recognized my work and dedication for the people. Now the people will unite against the military government as we defeat this new repetititon of Agartala conspiracy case”
7 comments
Comments feed for this article
July 19, 2007 at 3:15 pm
Syed
I think over 90% probabaility it’ll be the last statement you mentioned Saif….sad but true.
July 19, 2007 at 3:26 pm
Saif I. Shah Mohammed
I personally think the probability is around 73.345256076363%. Not 73.345256076362%, mind you.
July 19, 2007 at 3:57 pm
SubJailHouseRock
Do you think adding ‘and I was a little miffed that your government didn’t seem too fussed about investigating the August 21st grenade attack on me’ to the first statment would spoil the tone too much?
July 19, 2007 at 4:09 pm
Saif
All included under the broad language of “various attacks”… &c.
What would bringing that up in this statement achieve?
July 19, 2007 at 6:31 pm
Shayan
Nah, these two have been known to work together in the past as well when faced with a common enemy. it won’t be anything close to the last one. Although definitely not anything close to the first one as well.
Someone should construct some game-theoretic models on the AL-BNP rivalry over the last 25 years! See how they are sworn enemies when the game’s being played on their terms, but bosom buddies when someone else is raining on their parade? they truly believe the country is theirs and theirs alone to play with, and would rather have the other in power and take second place, knowing their time will come as well, rather than see a third force in power that leaves questions hanging over whether they themselves will ever see power again.
July 19, 2007 at 6:43 pm
SubJailHouseRock
Saif, sorry, I was just being frivolous. SH made a statement supporting KZs right to remain in the country when will-she won’t-she exile saga was going on. But are these statements worth anything? The only way to see if the parties have learnt anything is when(if?) they are facing each other as government and opposition.
July 19, 2007 at 6:54 pm
Saif
Shayan, SJHR (can we get a shorter name please): Good points, all. I agree with both of you.