WE are taken aback by the news that BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's motorcade came under attack, reportedly by pro-ruling party activists, during her electoral campaign two days in a row. According to our reports, on Monday, some 150 pro-AL activists bashed the vehicles with wooden sticks and brick chips, injuring 15 people and damaging six cars. Earlier, on Sunday, ruling party men had blocked roads during her campaign at Uttara and chased her motorcade carrying sticks and black flags.

We find it unacceptable that the leader of a political party should face such brazen violence while carrying out her campaign. It is a violation of democratic norms and constitutional rights. In light of the government's oft-repeated promises to hold fair and inclusive city elections and ensure a level playing field, there cannot be any justifiable reason for restraining the BNP leader from conducting her campaign in a peaceful manner.  

We have been avowedly critical of the violent programmes of oborodh and blockade that had been launched by the BNP chairperson, but at the same time, the government should acknowledge a certain sign of a positive change in the political atmosphere. Such unwarranted violence against a political opponent should not be allowed to create unnecessary misgivings about the city corporation polls and upset the political situation that had only just begun to improve after three months of mayhem.  

We urge the ruling party high ups to rein in their overzealous activists from crossing the line of propriety at a time when we pin hope on city corporation elections as a window of opportunity to defuse political tension.