The latest controversy surrounding two advisors, Shafi Sami and Sultana Kamal, in connection with their visit to the house of Sheikh Hasina, is not only most unfortunate but also an example of deliberate distortion of facts and twisting of their intentions to gain short-term political mileage. The BNP secretary general has declared that by visiting Hasina these two advisors have lost their neutrality and should, therefore, resign. It is extremely hard for us to believe that Mannan Bhuiyan did not know (as reported in the press) that the President and Chief Advisor himself, following a consensus decision, asked the two advisers concerned to communicate a very important message to Hasina. So they were performing a state function under the instruction of the President and Chief Advisor. That meeting had the immediate and direct effect of the 14-party opposition group shifting for a week the deadline of their demand that expired yesterday. This resulted in the prevention of further deterioration of the political scene.

His claim that one of the advisers, Sultana Kamal, is an activist of a political party is not at all true. He has confused Sultana's name with another political person (See separate story). Again, it is difficult for us to think that Mannan Bhuiyan did not know this.

What is more natural than for the Chief Advisor to ask one or more of his colleagues to discuss political issues with our leaders? Today it was Sheikh Hasina; tomorrow it may be Khaleda Zia and so on. Then again there was the specific and immediate issue of the opposition's ultimatum (We are opposed to politics of ultimatum in general, which of course is a different issue and will be addressed separately), which was postponed simply because of the Chief Adviser's initiative of sending his emissaries. The political scene would have been different this morning but for that visit for which the two advisers, whose resignations are being sought.

Let us remember today that all past caretaker governments maintained close contacts with the major political parties of the day. Advisers in both the governments of justice Habibur Rahman and justice Latifur Rahman met Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia and other leaders to solve problems or resolve issues as they arose. In fact, that is the only way to move forward. They cannot be expected to work in isolation. After all, the CG is the government o the day. Though they have come from non-political backgrounds, they are essentially performing a political task, in fact a very complex political task, for which they will have to frequently consult with political leaders and parties.

Our view is that the BNP's action was a tit-for-tat for the demand by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) for the removal of Adviser M. Fazlul Huq for his earlier remarks concerning being under constant observation by the opposition to test the CG's neutrality. We think his remarks were unfortunate and definitely unnecessary. The best reply to Huq's position came from another adviser of the same government, Akbar Ali Khan, who welcomed the suggestion of being under constant observation. The resignation demand of the SCBA, which is a body of experienced and renowned lawyers, was, in our view, far too extreme. This body could have asked for the withdrawal of the offensive portions of Mr. Huq's remarks, or even an apology from him. But to demand his resignation for one remark, (which we agree was quite objectionable) was far out of proportion.

These renowned lawyers, some of whom we admire for their commitment to the rule of law, constitutional politics, uprightness, honesty and relentless defence of human rights, should have realised that the whole caretaker government is in a very precarious position and any tinkering with its membership may unleash a whole range of counter events that may dismantle the whole interim structure. This CG has not yet started any serious work. It is bound to face tremendous challenges and difficulties in the coming weeks, especially to bring about the changes in the EC for which, we already know, it has reached a consensus.

We urge all concerned to desist from further complicating the work of the CG. They have the most important and, as is evident, a very complex task of delivering a free and fair election. If we are going to constantly create new controversies by twisting their every move and distorting their purpose then the CG will not be able to work. Please remember that this group of people is neither used to the nuances of our politics nor to the constant glare of the media. They are likely to make mistakes (of which Fazlul Huq's comments and the two advisers using private car to visit Hasina are good examples) for which we have to give them the benefit of the doubt.

We urge our political leaders from both sides of the political divide not to play petty politics and their professional support groups to be patient at the moment. There is a much greater task ahead to be accomplished for which we should extend all out cooperation to this group of eminent citizens who have a very high degree of success in their own respective fields and who have come forward to serve the nation at this critical juncture. They did not come on their own. They were invited. They must be given that respect.