It is really deplorable that Mr. SAMS Kibria, a former finance minister, and presently a member of the parliament from the Awami League made a mistake, and through which he has "exhibited his uncharitable and unkind frame of mind," as well as "ill-will, wrath, hostile, and immature political mental frame" of his party. He could mention the term 'Justice' before the name of Justice Mohammad Latifur Rahman. Justice Latifur Rahman may naturally claim that the "omission of the word 'Justice' was obviously deliberate and purposeful." We shall always hope that Mr. Kibria shall not make this type of mistake in the future, and expect that he or his party-men, shall show proper respect to other personages of different opinions.

The AL gives an impression that the 2001 election debacle is still not healed properly, and the party needs a total revamp before going for anti-government agitation programmes to remove this government forcefully and ushering an early election with putting an amendment the constitution for changing the present Caretaker Government Law.

Considering all these factors, one can clearly sees that the reform that the AL is shoughting for in the Caretaker Government Law and the electoral system as well as the resignation of the present government all depend on the will of the present elected government.

That is why there are ample reasons to disagree with Mr. Kibria that "the political landscape of Bangladesh" has been altered. And he or his party thought that "morally, if not legally, this government has no right to remain in power" since 21 August grenade attack. Now, if we look back in those horrifying BAL days, there were more severe incidents in the 1996-2001 period, and the BAL government -- the first coalition government in the history of Bangladesh -- did not resign. I do not think this current government shall resign on those so-called moral grounds. This are all the "talk of the talks!" Even the use of the police forces in the hands of the ruling party was also there in the BAL regime. As a result police lost neutrality. Also there were very less respect for law and legal rights in those days. In fact, the police has been used for partisan interest for a long time.

In the eyes of the opposition, any sitting government turns into an extremely "autocratic, repressive and corrupt" government. Mr. Kibria mentioned that some people are talking "about an 'unconstitutional' solution." Since Bangladesh is not Pakistan, he or his party people or the people who told of the unconstitutional changes fear that the general people may not like one such in the future.

If people consider this government as "repressive, incompetent and corrupt", then they will like to give their verdict in due time, during the election at end of 2006. But there are very less convincing grounds now for which the "government must resign forthwith."

It seems that Mr. Kibria and his party are dreaming that the sitting government shall do something to save itself as they did in February-March of 1996. Mr. Kibria forgot one thing, in 1996 election, BNP came out as the biggest opposition party in the parliament.

A very important question shall arise in the next election. Mr Kibria knows that "we will have a new general election." But he does not think that his party can win this time. Here he raised the question that "How will the election be held?" Actually most people want a free and fair election. We have adopted the CTG system, what Mr Kibria has mentioned as an invention of BAL. Actually, this is not true.

He mentioned "in enacting the law on the subject, she [Begum Zia] did not consult the Awami League." In fact, Mr. Kibria might have forgot that there was no AL MPs when Caretaker Government Law was passed in the parliament.

Mr. Kibria, his party chief and those supporting AL, strongly desire that the current government MUST resign soon. If there is no change in the Caretaker Government Law, the immediate past Chief Justice of Bangladesh Supreme Court shall take oath as the Chief of CTG. He will appoint ten advisors, and go ahead with the plan for a general election within ninty-days.

If AL wants to amend the CTG law, it should do it once it is in power with a "two-third" majority in the parliament. AL should also remember that their present demand shall not be fulfilled in the given situation, and the majority of their partners in the race for power shall not bring much support than that AL singly can get. Interestingly, AL chief and the central leadership failed to earn the support of people by criticising the RAB who have taken strong actions to eliminate many staunch murders, miscreants, and 'mastans'. They could not clearly tell the people what they would do without using RAB.

Since law and order situation before the 2001 election was a major decision making factor for the general people, it shall remain same for the next 2006 election as well. As long as the present government would continually use RAB to contain the law and order situation, and people remain sighing relief with killing of a "notorious killer" in cross-fire or in encounter, the people shall hardly pay any attention to the so-called "Change C T G Law"-type programmes.

Better watch out. Otherwise, AL may lose more seats in the coming general election by not understanding the common people's mind.

Sajjad Waheed is a senior lecturer, Daffodil International University, Sukrabad, Dhaka.