Tazreena Sajjad at The Conversation: Countries in South Asia, including Bangladesh, have largely been shaped by political dynasties. So the rejection of the Awami League, and the fact that many are also rejecting other established political parties – the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Jamaat-i-Islami and the Jatiya Party – is extraordinary.
These established parties will no doubt try to regroup. While the Awami League may not be able to effectively organize in the near future given public sentiment, the others will make a concerted effort to participate in the promised forthcoming elections.
For the moment, there may be an opportunity for Bangladesh to have fresh voices and faces in politics, potentially emerging from the student movement.
What should we make of the military taking interim control?
Since Bangladesh’s independence, the army has played a huge role in shaping the political trajectory of the country.
From 1975 to 2011, Bangladesh experienced at least 29 military coups and counter-coups. It also experienced direct military rule from 1977 to 1981 and between 1981 and 1990.
Given the army’s frequent incursion into Bangladesh politics, it is not surprising that it has taken interim control of the country now.
For many Bangladeshis, this may represent some level of stability, given the political vacuum that has opened up and the uncertainty of the moment.
Student leaders, however, have made it clear they do not want military involvement in politics. Seemingly heeding this call, General Waker-uz-Zaman, the army chief of staff, has assured protesters that the army would meet their demands.
But it remains to be seen whether the military will keep its promises and hand over full authority to a civilian interim administration.
More here.
