Tribal rule (!) in Bangladesh

The AL chiefs -- father and daughter -- exercised absolute power. The father raised a separate security force, Rakshi Bahini; switched over from parliamentary to presidential type of government, and then to one-party system; and had a power base of his kinsmen, outside the administration. The daughter became the chief, both of the party and the government. Her administration demonstrated the line and pattern of her father. She failed to curb terrorism and her critics say she squandered public money, leaving the treasury dry when she left the government.

Following an upsurge in the barracks in the mid-70's, the BNP was born with all the aura of a barrack life. The BNP too is not free of tribal emblems. Top positions both in the party and in the government are occupied by the leader of the party. She is well known as a non-compromising leader; but does not seem to bother much about whether parliament is functioning or not. People demand a slimmer ministerial body and immediate removal of some no-good ministers, but their demand does not get a patient hearing.

The two leaders of the major parties dislike each other so much that they do not look eye to eye, even on a formal occasion. Their party men are engaged in violence -- a situation only to be seen between two contending tribes.

Both of them have, however, won a label for us from the Transparency International -- the most corrupt nation in the world. Now, I honestly believe people are anxiously waiting to welcome a new leadership with vision for their salvation.