The concern and consternation of business leaders is understandable. On Monday leaders of six top trade bodies in a statement warned that if the present situation continues the would-be buyers and investors will change their destination to a country where greater political stability obtains. On Tuesday the president of the FBCCI observed, rightly, that hartal seriously affects business activities, the lifeline of the country’s economy. The president of the DCCI echoed what appears to be the country’s broad stream consensus when he said that political parties should sit together for dialogue to resolve the disputes. The visiting US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs said at a press conference Tuesday that they strongly support resumption of dialogue. Both the parties, he said, should resolve the difference peacefully through dialogue.

We said above that all politicians have a stake in maintaining peace and order but we think the ruling party’s stake is higher because they are credited with some achievement and so they are required to protect these achievements. As they are the rulers the responsibility for anything that goes wrong will be laid at their door. The ruling party should therefore take the first effective step towards ending the confrontation and beginning a dialogue.