Political stability, parliamentary democracy and development in Bangladesh

Bangladesh achieved its independence in 1971 through a 9 months liberation war. Since the independence, the political arena of Bangladesh was not so much stable. Between earlier first two decades the political situation was too bad. Bangladesh experienced two vital political murders and military coup in both 1975 and 1981. Parliamentary democracy was thwarted at the end of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's regime and Presidential Government was introduced through fourth amendment of the constitution.

 After the assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman military dictators took the state power. And the political turmoil goes all the year round during 1975. The nation experienced two to three military coups. However, Sheikh Mujib's regime was not so much politically stable. Opposition political particles make chaos all around the country during that time. In the first three and half years Awami League rule, there was no massive investment.

President Ziaur Rahman took the state power when the country was in a turmoil condition. Before this regime, there took place one Parliamentary election and according to the Constitution the tenure of the Government should be five years respectively. But the first parliament was unable to complete their complete tenure in office. Second Parliamentary election held in 1979. BNP won this election, but this parliamentary Government was dissolved before their tenure.

Third and fourth parliamentary election held in 1986 and 1988. One of these parliaments exists only for 13 days and another parliament runs only for a year. From 1975 to 1990 military took the state power. In these 15 years there was a very poor foreign investment. It is known to all that foreign investors made massive investment where there is political stability and peace.

After 1991 fifth parliamentary election took place, and BNP won. BNP also won in sixth parliamentary election but this parliament was dissolved within one year. Seven parliamentary election held in 1996 and Bangladesh Awami League won the election. After that BNP won in 2001, 8th parliamentary election. In these 20 years opposition political parties regularly called hartal, blockade and other violent movement to change the regime. As a result the foreigners don't come to make any massive investment in Bangladesh.

But the foreign investment scenario changed after tenth parliamentary election. Bangladesh Awami League won ten Parliamentary elections where 153 members elected uncontested. The election was boycotted by main opposition party BNP- Jamaat-E-Islami. The country experienced turbulent street agitation during 2013 to 2015. But the country didn't experience any violent street agitation after 2015. As a result Bangladesh has become able to grab attention of foreign investors.

 Investors become interested to invest more in Bangladesh. Bangladesh Awami League running the Government for successive two terms. The current parliament will be dissolved in 2019 and one Bangladeshi political party will be able to run the country for a successive decade. China made a 38 billion dollar investment while 24 dollars is loan assistance by the country and rest of the investment is joint investment by the Chinese corporations.

In the recent visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India, Modi Government promised Bangladesh of 10 billion dollars investment. Earlier in 2015 Narendra Modi Government promised of 2 billion dollar investment. Saudi Arabia and other countries expressed their interest to make massive investment in Bangladesh. Many foreign private investors also expressed their interest of investing in Bangladesh. Massive investment will change the poor scenario of Bangladesh.

Bangladesh has become able to show courage to build Padma Bridge with domestic fund because the country is in a stable political condition and a single party running the Government for two terms. The Government has become able to undertake many development projects like road-bridges and other infrastructure connectivity project. In a turmoil political situation or in the fear of regime change the investors feared to make big investment.

Political consensus is a must to maintain peace and stability in the country. Strong Parliamentary democracy can help a country to upgrade its status from developing to a developed nation. Because strengthened democracy scraps corruption and ensures accountability in investment and development projects. Political consensus protects a country from violation and terrorism; all the parties then beware about the national interest of the country.

Bangladesh is heading towards development though massive foreign investment and other big project. We wish there will be political stability in the coming days and 11th parliamentary election will be held in a fair and participatory manner with the participation of all political party. If political stability remains in the country Bangladesh's dream of becoming a middle income country by 2021 and a higher income country by 2041 will be possible.


The writer is a member of Jahangirnagar University Journalist Association and Joint Secretary of Rotaract Club of Jahangirnagar