By Kawalpreet Kaur
The two major political parties of Bangladesh entered into a tussle ahead of the scheduled January 5 elections. The ruling Awami league lead by Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has started constituting her interim poll time government that is supposed to be in power while the election commission of Bangladesh conducts elections for a new government. But this step has not reduced the political confusion prevailing in the country as the main opposition, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has refused to join this all-party government
Bangladesh Nationalist Party, which is still adamant that a non-party caretaker government should be constituted to oversee election, took on the streets, with ugly clashes erupting in Dhaka and elsewhere. The violent clashes between the opposition activists and security forces dot the Bangladesh political landscape. At the heart of this violence, loom the elections.
Awami league is determined to push the elections on Jan 5 despite the opposition parties’ call for boycotting the elections. The term of present Sheikh Hasina led Awami League government is expiring on June 24, 2014. A new government needs to be elected before that. But the absence of consensus over the form of government is leading to political conflict.
BNP leader Khaledha Zia is virtually under house arrest and the former military ruler H.M.Ershad, who heads the Jatiyo Party, the second largest in ruling coalition, was taken to a military hospital where he too announced of boycotting the polls, the Jamat-i-Islami having been banned in 2013. Thus if 154 members of parliament are elected unopposed to the 300- member Jatiyo Sangshad ( parliament) from Awami League, the victory will be nowhere near the kind of legitimacy that it enjoyed when it won in 2008.
India’s foreign policy would be challenged by the uncertain political climate of Bangladesh. There is a strong anti-Indian feeling within Bangladesh as New Delhi was seen not very keen to reciprocate Dhaka’s concessions in equal terms- the non implementation of Testa water sharing and the Indo Bangla land boundary are yet to fructify, Hasina will face a tough electorate.
As it stands, the nascent democracy in India’s neighbour is on trial again. But political uncertainty need not sap the energy of a youthful country working hard to create a niche and name for itself in the region.
The author is a student of psychological sciences in IP College, DU. Kawalpreet is passionate about politics. She sees herself as a politician of principles in future. A feminist, awarded debater, ardent reader and an art lover. She has written extensively in the past about social issues, women and politics for various organizations. Interested in politics, ancient history, literature, women’s and social issues. She believes in leading by example and is working with various nongovernmental organizations. You can connect with her by leaving a mail at kawalpreet303@yahoo.in.
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