A Dhaka court today rejected the bail petition of BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir in a case filed over the vandalism of the chief justice's residence during the BNP-police clash on October 28.

Acting judge of the Dhaka Metropolitan Session Judges court Faisal Atiq Bin Quader rejected the petition after hearing from the prosecution and the defence.

Mirza Fakhrul landed in jail on October 29.

The defence lawyer said Fakhrul is now 81 years old and he has been suffering from various ailments including cardiac issues, and he was not present during the vandalism.

The prosecution did not mention his involvement specifically, so his bail petition should be granted, the lawyer said.

While opposing the bail petition, Dhaka Metropolitan Public Prosecutor Abdullah Abu told the court that as per the direction and instigation of Fakhrul and other top BNP leaders, party leaders and activists had committed offences including attacking the chief justice' residence.

The commitment of the Western countries towards democracy in the country has encouraged the party's activists to carry out the ongoing one-point movement, said BNP's Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today.

"We are not alone. It is undeniable that the Western countries' commitment to democracy encouraged our party's rank and file to carry out the ongoing movement for holding a credible election under a neutral government," Fakhrul said.

"At the same time, we must also remember that those of us who are carrying out this struggle must move forward with more determination in the future," he said at a seminar titled "The Role of Local-International Community in Restoration of Democracy in Bangladesh and What We Have to Do Right Now" at a city hotel today.

The cover of a book styled "No Comments" complied by photojournalist Babul Talukder was unveiled at the seminar too.

Speaking at the seminar organised by the party, the BNP leader said that their movement is on the right track and no election without voters will be held this time in Bangladesh.

Referring to the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's address yesterday, he said Sheikh Hasina wants to cling to power by any means.

"This means that whatever America says, whatever the European Union says, whatever we political parties say, she wants to stay in power," he said.

Fakhrul said the PM, who has been staying in power unlawfully by usurping power using the state machinery and without public mandate, has decided to hold the next election in the same style.

"If she (Sheikh Hasina) wants to hold the next election without voters, it will not happen this time. You will not be able to hold in 2024 like you did in 2014 and 2018. It will not be possible because people will resist such an attempt."

The BNP leader said everyone should keep in mind that it is not an easy task for a democratic force to fight against a fascist regime.

"Many of our leaders and activists have lost their lives in this struggle, including 22 people over the last year, while over 1,000 have been subjected to extrajudicial killings [since AL came to power]."

He said around 45 lakh opposition leaders and activists have been implicated in 'false' cases as part of the government's move to suppress them.

BNP standing committee members Mirza Abbas, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Selima Rahman, vice chairmen Abdullah Al Noman, Shahjahan Omar and Barkatullah Bulu also spoke at the programme.

Any person would readily name the same two things if asked what the most pressing issues are right now in Bangladesh. The economic crisis comes first. But the second, and more perennial problem we are faced with, is the political deadlock between the two arch-rivals. In a way, such a deadlock is nothing new – it is the oldest theme in Bangladesh's nascent multiparty democratic politics. Over the span of 30 years or so, the script has remained so consistent as to have now become largely predictable.

Understandably, this rivalry becomes most intense ahead of the ultimate political showdown: the national election. The only means to resolve this impasse appears to be a dialogue between the political quarters. At any rate, this is the preferred avenue to a peaceful and constructive resolution for the civil society, foreign friends, and for the general people. But while the parties have sat down together on several occasions in the past, the outcome has always been a net-zero in terms of coming to an agreement or understanding.

The issue of a dialogue has once again come to the fore as the US pre-election assessment mission presented its five recommendations, stating that moderating rhetoric and engaging in open and substantive dialogue on key election issues, protecting freedom of expression, and ensuring an open civic space where dissent is respected can lead to credible, inclusive, participatory, and non-violent elections.

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But soon after, the initiative for holding talks saw its fate pretty much sealed as the ruling Awami League's general secretary (who is also the party's spokesperson) Obaidul Quader said that dialogue may be considered only if the BNP withdraws its conditions, which include the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, dissolution of parliament, resignation of the Election Commission, and holding polls under a non-party caretaker government.

A day later, BNP came back at Quader, with the party's Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir questioning whether the government was constitutionally legitimate, suggesting that it was in power illegally by dint of the 15th amendment: "You [AL] have to prove it. I am saying you're not constitutionally legitimate."

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A selfie, some visits, and a show of diplomacy

We know only too well that when dialogue fails, confrontation becomes inevitable. And, once again, we are faced with the possibility of political violence leading up to the national election. Although the BNP has been waging protests peacefully for more than a year to press home its demand for an election under a non-partisan government, there have been warnings of tougher and more vigorous demonstrations following Durga Puja.

Obviously, our political parties are more focused on their own issues than on issues of people's interest: peace and stability. But they must realise that the country has not faced such a multifaceted crisis in the recent past – certainly not before any election since 1991, which was when we began our journey towards being a modern democracy.

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There are alarming economic conditions, the Russia-Ukraine war, sanctions against Bangladeshi law enforcement agencies, visa restrictions on individuals obstructing the course of democracy, an emerging global world order, and myriad conflicting geopolitical interests that must be balanced, straddled, side-stepped, and negotiated like puddles and ditches – all this while as we hurtle towards a national election.

Unfortunately, we see political division widening at a time when national unity is of utmost importance in order for us to overcome these crises.

On that note, the arrest of Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anne, while the US election assessment team was visiting Bangladesh, will no doubt send unfavourable signals and be considered a barrier to democratic practices. It further vindicates the BNP's claim that the government is trying to hold lopsided polls by driving the opposition away from the election scene, even though AL leaders have been saying that there will be a free and fair election. The arrests of opposition leaders and the thousands of lawsuits being filed against them will surely help solidify the BNP's claim.

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Against this backdrop, parties must be able to feel the pulse of the public and come forward with an attitude of accommodation towards their opponents. They must have compromise in mind. And there is no doubt that, in this regard, the ruling party's responsibility far outweighs that of the opposition. Similarly, the opposition must also come to the table with the sincere intent to strike an equitable deal. But whatever the settlement or compact or reluctant understanding, it will have to be reached through dialogue.

In an uncertain situation, the best and only choice is to talk. And if the parties fail to have constructive talks, the country will have to embrace uncertainty and chaos – neither of which we want.

Mohammad Al-Masum Molla is chief reporter at The Daily Star.