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{{Short description| Politics in Bangladesh}} <!-- "none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see [[WP:SDNONE]] --> {{too long|date=May 2023}} {{About|political system in [[Bangladesh]]|governing body |Government of Bangladesh}} {{Infobox political system | name = Politics of Bangladesh | image = [[File:National emblem of Bangladesh.svg|120px]] · [[File:Government Seal of Bangladesh.svg|120px]] | image_size = | caption = [[National Emblem of Bangladesh|National Emblem]] · [[Government Seal of Bangladesh|Government Seal]] | government = [[Unitary state|Unitary]] [[Parliamentary system|parliamentary]] [[republic]] | constitution = [[Constitution of Bangladesh]] | formation = | website = | legislature = [[Jatiya Sangsad]] | legislature_type = [[Unicameral]] | legislature_place = [[Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban]] | legislature_speaker = ''vacant'' | legislature_speaker_title = [[Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad|Speaker]] | title_hos = [[President of Bangladesh|President]] | current_hos = [[Mohammed Shahabuddin]] | appointer_hos = [[Jatiya Sangsad|Parliament]] | title_hog = [[Chief Adviser of Bangladesh|Chief Adviser]] | current_hog = [[Muhammad Yunus]] | appointer_hog = President | cabinet = [[Cabinet of Bangladesh]] | current_cabinet = [[Yunus interim government|Yunus cabinet]] | cabinet_leader = [[Muhammad Yunus]] | cabinet_deputyleader = | cabinet_appointer = President | cabinet_hq = [[Bangladesh Secretariat]] | cabinet_ministries = [[Government agencies in Bangladesh|23 advisers, 353 departments and directorates]] | judiciary = [[Judiciary of Bangladesh]] | judiciary_head = [[Chief Justice of Bangladesh]] | courts = | court = [[Supreme Court of Bangladesh|Supreme Court]] | chief_judge = [[Syed Refaat Ahmed]] | court_seat = Supreme Court Building }} {{Politics of Bangladesh}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}} '''The politics of Bangladesh''' operate in a framework of a [[parliamentary system|parliamentary]] [[representative democracy|representative democratic]] [[republic]], whereby the [[Prime Minister of Bangladesh|Prime Minister]] is the [[head of government]] and of a [[multi-party system]]. [[Executive power]] is exercised by the government. [[Legislative power]] is vested in both the government and parliament. The [[Constitution of Bangladesh]] was written in 1972 and has undergone seventeen [[Constitutional amendment|amendments]].<ref name=15th>{{cite news |title=Nasim swipes at Khaleda |url=http://bdnews24.com/details.php?id=201153&cid=3 |newspaper=[[bdnews24.com]] |date=18 July 2011 |access-date=4 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319055445/http://bdnews24.com/details.php?id=201153&cid=3 |archive-date=19 March 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The current parliamentary system was adopted in 1991 and is based on the [[Westminster system]]. Between 1975 and 1990, the nation experienced military rule. A caretaker government was first introduced in 1990, after the resignation of military dictator Lieutenant General [[Hussain Muhammad Ershad]] (Ershad) to observe a neutral democratic election, as per demands of the two major political parties [[Bangladesh Nationalist Party]] (BNP) and [[Awami League]] (AL). Following the forced resignation of Ershad, Chief Justice [[Shahabuddin Ahmed]] was nominated as the Chief Advisor and observed the 1991 general election. A Caretaker government is headed by a [[Chief Adviser of Bangladesh|Chief Adviser]] who enjoys the same power as the regular prime minister of the country except defense matters. The Advisors function as Ministers. After 1991, the Caretaker government has also held the elections of 1996, 2001 and 2008. Although, the first caretaker government was intended to help the transition from authoritarianism to democracy, this system was institutionalized in 1996, by the Sixth Parliament due to rising mistrust between the BNP and AL. In 2011, the then ruling party AL abolished the caretaker government system. This has been the biggest cause of dispute among many others between the BNP and the AL since then.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-13973576 |title=Bangladesh ends 'caretaker' polls |work=[[BBC News]] |date=30 June 2011}}</ref> {{Democracy Index rating|Bangladesh|hybrid regime|2022}} {{office-table}} |[[File:Seal of the President of Bangladesh.svg|15px]] [[President of Bangladesh|President]] |[[Mohammed Shahabuddin]] |[[Bangladesh Awami League]] |24 April 2023 |- |[[File:Seal of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh.svg|15px]] [[Prime Minister of Bangladesh|Prime Minister]] |''vacant'' | |5 August 2024 |- |[[File:Seal of the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh.svg|15px]] [[Chief Adviser of Bangladesh|Chief Adviser]] |[[Muhammad Yunus]] |Independent |8 August 2024 |- |[[File:Seal of the Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad.svg|15px]] [[Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad|Parliament Speaker]] |''vacant'' | |6 August 2024 |- |[[File:বাংলাদেশ সুপ্রীম কোর্টের সিলমোহর.svg|15px]] [[Chief Justice of Bangladesh|Chief Justice]] |[[Syed Refaat Ahmed]] |[[Nonpartisanism|Nonpartisan]] |10 August 2024 |} ==Political parties and elections== {{elect|List of political parties in Bangladesh|Elections in Bangladesh}} {{See also|Bangladesh Election Commission}} [[File:National Assembly of Bangladesh (1).jpg|thumb|[[Parliament of Bangladesh]] (2019)]] The two [[List of political parties in Bangladesh|major parties]] in Bangladesh are the [[Bangladesh Nationalist Party]] (BNP) and [[Bangladesh Awami League]]. Traditionally, the BNP found allies among [[Islamist]] parties like [[Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh]] while the AL aligned itself with [[Left-wing politics|leftist]] and [[Secularism|secular]] parties such as [[Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal]]. Although in recent times, the BNP aligns itself more with leftist parties while the AL acts independently. Another important player is the [[Jatiya Party (Ershad)|Jatiya Party]], headed by late [[Hussain Muhammad Ershad]]'s brother [[GM Quader]]. The Awami League-BNP rivalry has been bitter and punctuated by protests, violence and murder. [[Student politics in Bangladesh|Student politics]] is particularly strong in Bangladesh, a legacy from the liberation movement era. Almost all parties have highly active student wings, and students have been elected to the parliament. Three radical Islamist parties, [[Jagrata Muslim Janata Bangladesh]] (JMJB), [[Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh]] (JMB) and [[Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami|Harkatul Jihad]], were banned in February 2004 on grounds of militancy and terrorism.<ref name=satp>{{cite web |title=Jagrata Muslim Janata Bangladesh (JMJB) |url=http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/bangladesh/terroristoutfits/JMJB.htm |publisher=South Asia Terrorism Portal |access-date=4 August 2011}}</ref> Following the first series of bans, [[2005 Bangladesh bombings|a series of bomb attacks took place in the country in August 2005]]. Evidence of staging these attacks by these extremist groups had been found in the investigation, and hundreds of suspected members were detained in numerous security operations in 2006, including the two chiefs of the JMB, [[Shaykh Abdur Rahman]] and [[Bangla Bhai]], who were executed with other top leaders in March 2007, bringing the radical parties to an end.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://archive.thedailystar.net/2007/03/31/d7033101011.htm |title=Six JMB militants hanged |work=The Daily Star}}</ref> ===Election History=== ====1973==== {{main|1973 Bangladeshi general election}} The 1973 general election was held on 7 March 1973. There were 15 seats reserved for women.<ref>Bangladesher Nirbachan 1970-2001 by A S M Samsul Arefin, Bangladesh Research and Publications, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 2003, page-27</ref> ====1979==== {{main|1979 Bangladeshi general election}} The 1979 general election was held on 18 February 1979.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.albd.org/aldoc/50years_16.htm |title=The Rule of General Zia |website=Bangladesh Awami League |access-date=13 August 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080526025926/http://www.albd.org/aldoc/50years_16.htm |archive-date=26 May 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> There were 30 seats reserved for women.<ref>Bangladesher Nirbachan 1970-2001 by A S M Samsul Arefin, Bangladesh Research and Publications, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 2003, page-30</ref> ====1986==== {{main|1986 Bangladeshi general election}} The 1986 general election was held on 7 May 1986. There were 30 seats reserved for women.<ref>Bangladesher Nirbachan 1970-2001 by A S M Samsul Arefin, Bangladesh Research and Publications, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 2003, page-33</ref> ====1988==== {{main|1988 Bangladeshi general election}} The 1988 general election was held on 3 March 1988. There were 30 seats reserved for women.<ref>Bangladesher Nirbachan 1970-2001 by A S M Samsul Arefin, Bangladesh Research and Publications, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 2003, page-36</ref> ====1991==== {{main|1991 Bangladeshi general election}} The 1991 general election was held on 13 January 1991. There were 30 seats reserved for women.<ref>Bangladesher Nirbachan 1970-2001 by A S M Samsul Arefin, Bangladesh Research and Publications, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 2003, page-40</ref> ====February 1996==== {{main|February 1996 Bangladeshi general election}} Following boycotts by the main opposition party, the [[Bangladesh Awami League]], the [[Bangladesh Nationalist Party]] won the uncontested elections. However, amidst protests, they were made to cave into Awami League's original demands, dissolve the parliament, and hold elections under a neutral [[caretaker government]], after the enactment of the 13th amendment. ====June 1996==== {{main|June 1996 Bangladeshi general election}} [[Bangladesh Awami League|The Awami League]] had won a general election for the first time since 1973 by forming a coalition government, since they fell 5 seats short of a majority. ====2001==== {{main|2001 Bangladeshi general election}} The [[Bangladesh Nationalist Party|BNP]] won a two-thirds parliamentary majority and won the 2001 general election. ====2008==== {{main|2008 Bangladeshi general election}} [[Bangladesh Awami League|The Awami League]] won a two-thirds parliamentary majority and won the 2008 general election. ====2014==== {{main|2014 Bangladeshi general election}} The Awami League were declared victors in 127 of 154 uncontested seats by default in the 5 January 2014 elections.<ref name="autogenerated4">{{cite news |date=12 December 2013 |title=Clashes and boycott mar Bangladesh election |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-25602436 |work=[[BBC News]] |access-date=6 January 2014}}</ref> Of the remaining uncontested seats, the Jatiya Party led by [[Rowshan Ershad]] won 20, the JSD won three, the Workers Party won two and the Jatiya Party (Manju) won one.<ref name=bdnews1>{{cite news |title=Repolls ordered in 8 constituencies |url=https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/repolls-ordered-in-8-constituencies |newspaper=[[bdnews24.com]] |date=6 January 2014 |access-date=6 January 2014}}</ref> As a result of violence and the opposition boycott, voter turnout was only 22%.<ref name=NYT>{{cite news |last=Barry |first=Ellen |date=5 January 2014 |title=Low Turnout in Bangladesh Elections Amid Boycott and Violence |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/06/world/asia/boycott-and-violence-mar-elections-in-bangladesh.html?_r=0 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=27 May 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Barry |first=Ellen |date=6 January 2014 |title=Bangladesh ruling party wins after boycotted vote |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/06/world/asia/boycott-and-violence-mar-elections-in-bangladesh.html?_r=0 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=5 January 2014}}</ref> Results of 139 seats out of 147 were released, with the Awami League winning 105, the Jatiya Party winning 13, the Workers Party winning four, the JSD winning two and the Tarikat Federation and BNF winning one each.<ref name=bdnews1/> The remaining 8 constituencies election were suspended due to violence and re-election to be held.<ref name=bdnews1/> The newly elected MPs were sworn in on 9 January.<ref>{{cite news |title=Newly elected Bangladesh MPs sworn in |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2014/01/newly-elected-bangladesh-mps-sworn-20141971236829980.html |newspaper=[[Al Jazeera English]]}}</ref> ====2018==== {{main|2018 Bangladeshi general election}} The 2018 general election held on 30 December 2018, voter turnout was 80%. [[Bangladesh Awami League]] under the leadership of Prime Minister [[Sheikh Hasina]] won their 4th term as the ruling party with 257 seats. The Jatiya Party became the main opposition party with only 22 seats.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hasan |first=Rashidul |date=5 January 2019 |title=Never-ending drama in JP |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/bangladesh-national-election-2018/news/jp-decides-act-opposition-parliament-ershad-1682941 |work=The Daily Star}}</ref> ====2024==== {{main|2024 Bangladeshi general election}} The 2024 Bangladesh general election was held on 7 January 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Photos: Yet another Bangladesh election tainted by an opposition boycott |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/gallery/2024/1/7/bangladesh-holds-election-to-keep-pm-sheikh-hasina-in-power |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref> ==Local governance== {{Main|Local government in Bangladesh}} ==Nepotism and dynastic politics== {{multiple image | align = right | image1 = Sheikh Hasina in London cropped.jpg | width1 = 140 | alt1 = Sheikh Hasina | link1 = Sheikh Hasina | caption1 = [[Sheikh Hasina]] | image2 = Khaleda Zia former Prime Minister of Bangladesh cropped.jpg | width2 = 140 | alt2 = Khaleda Zia | link2 = Khaleda Zia | caption2 = [[Khaleda Zia]] | footer = Popularly known as the "[[Battle of Begums|Battling Begums]]";<ref name="auto">{{cite news |last=Alam |first=Julhas |date=5 January 2014 |title=Fear for Bangladesh as 'Begums' fight forfuture power |url=http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/452021/Fear-for-Bangladesh-as-Begums-fight-forfuture-power |newspaper=[[Daily Express]] |location=London}}</ref> The two women have ruled Bangladesh as prime ministers at various times between 1991-2024.<ref name="The Economist">{{cite magazine |title=Women and property rights: Who owns Bangladesh? |url=https://www.economist.com/blogs/banyan/2013/08/women-and-property-rights |magazine=[[The Economist]] |type=Blog |date=21 August 2013 |access-date=2 December 2013}}</ref><ref name="auto1">{{cite book |last=Torild |first=Skard |date=2014 |title=Women of power: Half a century of female presidents and prime ministers worldwide |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jmw5BAAAQBAJ&pg=PA135 |publisher=Policy Press |pages=135– |isbn=978-1-4473-1578-0}}</ref> }} [[Dynastic politics|Political dynasties]] are a common occurrence in East Asia, and have been prevalent in Bangladesh since it gained independence.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cmi.no/publications/file/4974-dynasty-or-democracy-party-politics-in-bangladesh.pdf |title=Pamphlet |website=www.cmi.no}}</ref> A political dynasty usually refers to a party or any political body run by a single family, with long-established economic or political dominance passed down or inherited. <ref>{{Cite journal |last=Amundsen |first=Inge |date=2013-11-27 |title=Democratic dynasties? Internal party democracy in Bangladesh |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1354068813511378 |journal=Party Politics |volume=22 |issue=1 |pages=49–58 |doi=10.1177/1354068813511378 |s2cid=145592351 |issn=1354-0688}}</ref> The influence of political dynasties often spills over to the general public sphere<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=622 Manzurul Mannan, Governing culture of the ruling elite in Bangladesh |url=https://www.india-seminar.com/2011/622/622_manzurul_mannan.htm |access-date=2023-08-01 |website=www.india-seminar.com}}</ref>and prevalence of this phenomenon has the potential to discourage civil society organizations from taking part in politics <ref name=":0" /> There are several suggested explanations for the prevalence and success of dynastic politics. # The name becomes synonymous with success and leadership, while connections and [[political capital]]. # Leaders who are connected in collective memory to momentous events are perceived as possessing positive characters such as courage and assertiveness, that can be passed onto the next generation. # The above explanation can be applied to parties themselves - party members tend to support candidates that are related to previously successful ones, due to the perception of inherited traits. # A tendency for traditionalism, especially in societies where family relations and kinship are central to the culture. # Poorer constituencies tend to gravitate towards wealthier, more well-educated politicians, that represent leadership skills as they perceive them. Two major political dynasties, one led by former prime minister [[Khaleda Zia]], the widow of former military ruler [[Ziaur Rahman]], who has led the BNP since 1981, and her son Tarique Rahman, alongside the prime minister [[Sheikh Hasina]], daughter of [[Sheikh Mujibur Rahman]], who has led the AL since 1981, are known for their rivalry.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bangladesh: breaking with dynasty |url=https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/bangladesh-breaking-dynasty |access-date=2023-08-01 |website=www.lowyinstitute.org |language=en}}</ref> In recent years, increased awareness of the adverse effects of this political system has caused some shift in public perception.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-10-14 |title=Do political dynasties hinder development? |url=https://www.theigc.org/collections/do-political-dynasties-hinder-development |access-date=2023-08-01 |website=International Growth Centre |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Bangladesh: breaking with dynasty |url=https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/bangladesh-breaking-dynasty |access-date=2023-08-01 |website=www.lowyinstitute.org |language=en}}</ref> ==Political issues== {{Main|Democracy in Bangladesh}} ===Corruption=== {{main|Corruption in Bangladesh}} Bangladesh has seen political corruption for decades. According to all major ranking institutions, Bangladesh routinely finds itself among the most corrupt countries in the world.<ref name="anticorruptionportal">{{cite web|url=http://www.business-anti-corruption.com/country-profiles/south-asia/bangladesh/show-all.aspx|title=Business Corruption in Bangladesh|date=December 2015|website=Business Anti-corruption Portal|access-date=18 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160903150446/http://www.business-anti-corruption.com/country-profiles/south-asia/bangladesh/show-all.aspx|archive-date=3 September 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> ===Social issues=== Social issues in Bangladesh range from liberal inceptions such as women's rights, religious liberty, religious freedom, modernity, industrialization to religious issues such as blasphemy laws, sharia legal system, religious conservatism and state religion. The two main parties, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and the Awami League, both have contested against each other since the millennium over these issues.{{cn|date=February 2025}} ==History== ===Background, Independence movement and Provisional Government=== {{Main|History of Bengal|Provisional Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh}} [[File:Provisional Government of BD (2).jpg|thumb|Sculpture of Cabinet members of the [[Provisional Government of Bangladesh]]; popularly known as Mujibnagar Government]] After the [[British Empire|British]] conquest of [[Bengal]] on [[Battle of Plassey|23 June 1757]] and the overthrowing and execution of [[Nawab]] [[Siraj ud-Daulah]], considered as the last independent ruler of the region before regaining independence 200 years later, the [[Bengal Presidency]] was divided in [[British India]] in the year [[Partition of India|1947]], as [[East Bengal]] and [[West Bengal]] mainly on religious grounds. East Bengal allied itself with the newly formed Muslim state of Pakistan and became known as [[East Pakistan]]. However the relations between [[West Pakistan]] and East Pakistan were politically strained due to various issues of inequality, language, culture and a large distance of over 2,000 kilometres between the two states separated by the foreign lands of India. The central power remained confined in West Pakistan, thus demand for total independent rule of East Pakistan begun. Following the [[Six point movement]] in 1966, led by [[Sheikh Mujibur Rahman]], the East Pakistan independence movement gained momentum.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://mofa.gov.bd/site/page/27839bef-6d06-4e43-a6d8-b4be6a09c201/Historical-Background |title=Historical Background |website=Ministry of Foreign Affairs}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://mofa.gov.bd/site/page/8fbebd4d-8b6f-46ac-b245-33e4da3c1ff3 |title=Country Profile |website=Ministry of Foreign Affairs}}</ref> On 5 December 1969, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman stated after independence East Pakistan will be renamed Bangladesh.<ref>{{cite news |last=Mostofa |first=Anando |date=5 December 2019 |title=50 years of 'Bangladesh' |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/opinion/op-ed/2019/12/05/50-years-of-bangladesh |work=[[Dhaka Tribune]] |type=Op-Ed}}</ref> The situation escalated after the 1970 elections and the [[7 March Speech of Bangabandhu|7 March 1971 speech]] of [[Sheikh Mujibur Rahman]]. After a brutal Pakistani army crackdown on the local people of Bangladesh on 25 March 1971 carried out under orders of Pakistan President [[Yahya Khan]], Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Chief of Awami League and the leader of the liberation movement declared independence on 26 March 1971, which was broadcast from Chittagong radio station on 27 March, first by the then Awami League Secretary of Chittagong Mr Abdul Hannan and other Awami League leaders and then by Major Ziaur Rahman on behalf of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in the evening of 27 March, thus starting the [[Bangladesh Liberation War]]. Captain Rafiq BU Commanding Officer of Chittagong East Pakistan Rifles revolted first and subsequently other commanding officers at different places: Major Shafiullah, Major Khaled Musharraf and Major [[Ziaur Rahman]] revolted with their forces. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was arrested by the Pakistan Army in early hours of 26 March, immediately after he declared independence and was taken to West Pakistan, where he remained in jail until early January 1972. Bangladesh's first government formed on 10 April 1971 and took the oath of office in Meherpur, [[Kushtia]] on 17 April 1971. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was elected as the first president of the Provisional Government of Bangladesh, Syed Nazrul Islam was elected as the vice president, and [[Tajuddin Ahmed]] was elected as the first prime minister. Other major cabinet members were Mr Kamruzzaman, Mr Monsur Ali and Khodokar Mustaq Ahmed, all senior Awami League leaders. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by virtue of his position as the president of Bangladesh became the Supreme Commander of the Liberation Army, while Colonel M.A.G. Osmani was appointed by the provisional government as the Commander-in- Chief of the liberation army. Subsequently, the provisional government formed its secretariat and designated top bureaucrats as chiefs of the divisions of the Secretariat. The Provisional Government later divided Bangladesh into eleven Sectors for conducting war efficiently and in an organized manner. This Government became the first legal political entity on behalf of the fighting people of Bangladesh and represented the people in the international arena. Prime Minister Tajuddin Ahmed started intergovernmental dialogue with the Indian Government immediately after the formation of the Provisional Government. Bangladesh achieved victory in the liberation war on 16 December 1971. As this government was formed during the war of independence from Pakistan, its significance holds a distinction. Its temporary headquarters had been set up at 8 Theatre Road in Calcutta, India.<ref>{{cite news |title=The Mujibnagar Government |url=https://www.banglanews24.com/law/article/19752/The-Mujibnagar-Government |work=[[Banglanews24.com]] |date=10 April 2012}}</ref> ===First Parliamentary Era=== ====1972–1975: Sheikh Mujibur Rahman==== [[File:Mujib and Ford.jpg|thumb|250px|The Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Mujibur Rahman with U.S. President [[Gerald Ford]] in 1974]] On 8 January 1972, the leader of the Liberation War and Liberation movement Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was released from Pakistan Jail and was sent to London. On Mujib's arrival in London, he was met by the Prime Minister of UK and other world leaders. Sheikh Mujib returned to Bangladesh on 10 January 1972, by a British Royal Air Force Aircraft. Mujib congratulated the Bengali Mukti Bahini (the Bangladesh Liberation Force) for succeeding in the war of liberation against Pakistan army. Mujib was placed at the helm of government, according to the election victory under the unified Pakistan government. In 1973, after the first Bangladesh elections, he continued his term in office with immense backing from India, and public popularity, but had great difficulty transforming this popular support into the political strength needed to function as head of government. The new constitution, which came into force on 16 December 1972, created a strong executive prime minister, a largely ceremonial presidency, an independent judiciary, and a unicameral legislature on a modified Westminster model. The 1972 constitution adopted as state policy the [[Awami League]]'s (AL) four basic principles of [[nationalism]], [[secularism]], [[socialism]], and [[democracy]]. A key author of the constitution of Bangladesh was Dr [[Kamal Hossain]], who has since been a major political figure of the country. The first parliamentary elections held under the 1972 constitution were in March 1973, with the Awami League winning a massive majority, winning a historic 293 out of a total of 300 seats. No other political party in Bangladesh's early years was able to duplicate or challenge the League's broad-based appeal, membership, or organizational strength. Mujib and his cabinet having no experience in governance nor administration, relied heavily on experienced civil servants and political factions of the Awami League, the new Bangladesh Government focused on relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction of the economy and society. Mujib nationalised the entire economy, banking and industrial sector. Economic conditions took a serious downturn. On top of that heavy corruption among his own party members, factions and senior leadership also added to the devastation and famine. The then U.S. Secretary of State had termed Bangladesh a [[Bottomless Basket]]. Amid mass corruption and famine throughout [[Bangladesh famine of 1974|1974]], in December 1974, Mujib decided that continuing economic deterioration and mounting [[civil disorder]] required strong measures. After proclaiming a state of emergency, Mujib used his parliamentary majority to win a constitutional amendment limiting the powers of the legislative and judicial branches, establishing an executive presidency, and instituting a one-party system, the [[Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Awami League]] (BAKSAL), which all members of Parliament were obliged to join. Despite promises, no sign of improvement in the economic situation surfaced. Implementation of promised political reforms was almost nil, and criticism of government policies became increasingly centered on Mujib. Serious disorientation in the armed services, disenchantment in society, deterioration of law and order created a huge mistrust of Mujib and his government including the Awami League itself. The then chief of army staff [[K M Shafiullah]] and chief of air staff [[A.K. Khandker]] stood stunned and idle during this situation. On 15 August 1975, Mujib, and most of his family, were [[Assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman|assassinated]] by a small group of mid-level army officers. Mujib's daughters, [[Sheikh Hasina]] and Sheikh Rehana, happened to be out of the country. A new government, headed by former Mujib associate [[Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad]], was formed. ===Military Era=== ====August–November 1975: Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad==== Mujib's senior cabinet minister Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad formed a new government and immediately initiated a few critical changes in Mujib's policies and rules of business in government. The notorious [[Jail Killing Day|Jail Killings]] happened during this period, amidst the confusion in which Bangladesh was plunged on 3 November. On the same day, Brig General [[Khaled Mosharraf]] launched his own coup fundamentally as a move to restore the chain of command broken in the army Musharraf moved swiftly to remove Moshtaque Ahmad from office. On 7 November Khaled Musharaf was killed in a counter coup engineered by Colonel [[Abu Taher]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Ahsan |first=Syed Badrul |author-link=Syed Badrul Ahsan |date=3 November 2011 |title=Jail Killing Day today |newspaper=The Daily Star |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-209053 |access-date=17 May 2019}}</ref> ====1975–1981: Ziaur Rahman==== [[File:Ziaur Rahman.jpg|thumb|Ziaur Rahman delivering a speech at a public conference in 1979]] Following Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad's removal and assassination of Brigadier General Khaled Musharaf by a segment of army personnel in 1975, a very short lived revolution resulted in the emergence of arrested deputy Army Chief of Staff Major General [[Ziaur Rahman]] ("Zia"), who managed to take the lead and bring the whole nation out of a political quagmire. His first action was to communicate to the people through radio and television and bring order and calm to the nation. He pledged full support to the civilian government headed by President Chief Justice Sayem. Acting at Zia's behest, Sayem dissolved Parliament, and instituted state of emergency under [[martial law]]. Zia brought an end to the turbulence within the army. In 1976, Colonel [[Abu Taher]] was tried for treason and executed. Fresh elections were to be in 1977 under a multi party democracy with full freedom of the press.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bourgeois dreams of socialist revolution |url=http://www.observerbd.com/2015/07/07/98425.php |work=[[The Daily Observer (Bangladesh)]] |date=7 July 2015}}</ref> Acting behind the scenes of the Martial Law Administration (MLA), Zia sought to invigorate government policy and administration. Lifting the ban on political parties from Mujib's one party [[BAKSAL]] rule, he sought to revitalize the demoralized bureaucracy, to begin new economic development programs, infrastructure buildup, a free press and to emphasize family planning. In November 1976, Zia became [[Chief Martial Law Administrator]] (CMLA) and assumed the presidency upon Sayem's retirement 5 months later, on 21 April 1977. As President, Zia announced a 19-point program of economic reform and began dismantling the MLA. Keeping his promise to hold elections, Zia won a 5-year term in the June 1978 elections, with 76% of the vote. In November 1978, his government removed the remaining restrictions on political party activities in time for parliamentary elections in February 1979. These elections, which were contested by more than 30 parties, marked the culmination of Zia's transformation of Bangladesh's Government from the MLA to a democratically elected, constitutional one. The [[Awami League]] and the [[Bangladesh Nationalist Party]] (BNP), founded by Zia, emerged as the two major parties. The constitution was again amended to provide for an [[executive prime minister]] appointed by the president, and responsible to a parliamentary majority. Zia invigorated a strong foreign policy based on sovereignty and economic independence. He initiated many social programs to uplift the poor through honest hard work and education. During this period, Bangladesh's economy achieved fast economic and industrial growth. His greatest legacy on the people of Bangladesh was unity and self-dependence. In May 1981, Zia was assassinated in [[Chittagong]] by dissident elements of the military. There was no coup or uprising attempted, and the major conspirators were never taken into custody or killed. In accordance with the constitution, Vice President Justice [[Abdus Sattar (president)|Abdus Sattar]] was sworn in as acting president. He immediately set out to continue Zia's policies and called for fresh elections. Due to President Zia's tremendous popularity Sattar won as the BNP's candidate. President Sattar sought to follow the policies of his predecessor and retained essentially the same cabinet. ====1982–1990: Hussain Mohammad Ershad==== [[File:Hussain Muhammad Ershad.jpg|thumb|left|President HM Ershad in [[Bangabhaban]] (1986)]] Army Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Hussain Mohammad Ershad assumed power in a full-fledged but bloodless coup on 24 March 1982. He removed the country's democratically elected president and suspended the constitution and declared martial law. He cited pervasive corruption, ineffectual government, and economic mismanagement for legitimising his action. The following year, Ershad assumed the presidency on 11 December 1983, retaining his positions as army chief and CMLA, for the first time in Bangladesh. During most of 1984, Ershad sought the opposition parties' participation in local elections under martial law. The opposition's refusal to participate, however, forced Ershad to abandon these plans. Ershad was capable of managing the Awami League through financial and political support. The Awami League's support gave him the strength and legitimacy to seek public support for his regime in a national referendum on his leadership in March 1985. He won overwhelmingly, although turnout was small. Two months later, Ershad held elections for local council chairmen. Pro-government candidates won a majority of the posts, setting in motion the President's ambitious decentralization program that Ziaur Rahman had initiated. Political life was finally liberalized in early 1986, and additional political rights, including the right to hold large public rallies, were restored. Additional support from Jamaati Islami at the same time gave Ershad's political vehicle for the transition from martial law some form of legitimacy and the political order of Ershad and his [[Jatiya Party (Ershad)|Jatiya Party]] was established. Despite a [[boycott]] by the BNP, led [[Begum Khaleda Zia]], parliamentary elections were held on schedule on 7 May 1986. The Jatiya Party won a modest majority of the 300 elected seats in the national assembly. The participation of the Awami League led by party chairman [[Sheikh Hasina Wazed]]—lent the elections some credibility, despite widespread charges of voting irregularities and ballot box theft. Ershad resigned as Army Chief of Staff and retired from military service in preparation for the presidential elections, scheduled for October 1986. Protesting that martial law was still in effect, the BNP refused to put up opposing candidates. The Awami League participated by breaking their open public promise. Ershad easily outdistanced the remaining candidates, taking 84% of the vote. Although Ershad's government claimed a turnout of more than 50%, opposition leaders of BNP, and much of the foreign press, estimated a far lower percentage and alleged voting irregularities. Ershad continued his stated commitment to lift martial law. In November 1986, his government mustered the necessary two-thirds majority in the national assembly to amend the constitution and confirm the previous actions of the martial law regime. The President then lifted martial law, and the opposition party Awami League of Hasina Wazed took their elected seats in the national assembly. In July 1987, however, after the government hastily pushed through a controversial legislative bill to include military representation on local administrative councils. Passage of the bill helped spark an opposition movement by Bangladesh Nationalist Party that quickly gathered momentum. The Awami League and Jamaat Islami. understanding their political gamble, gradually united with Bangladesh Nationalist Party for the first time. The government began to arrest scores of opposition activists under the country's [[Special Powers Act (Bangladesh)|Special Powers Act]] of 1974. Despite these arrests, opposition parties continued to organize protest marches and nationwide strikes. After declaring a state of emergency, Ershad dissolved Parliament and scheduled fresh elections for March 1988. All major opposition parties refused government overtures to participate in these polls, maintaining that the government was illegal and incapable of holding free and fair elections. Despite the opposition [[boycott]], the government proceeded. The ruling Jatiya Party won 251 of the 300 seats. The Parliament, while still regarded by the opposition as an illegitimate body, held its sessions as scheduled, and passed numerous bills. By 1989, the domestic political situation in the country seemed to have quieted. The local council elections were generally considered by international observers to have been less violent and more free and fair than previous elections. However, opposition to Ershad's rule began to regain momentum, escalating by the end of 1990 in frequent [[general strike]]s, increased student's campus protests, public rallies, and a general disintegration of law and order. This was popularly termed the [[1990 Mass Uprising in Bangladesh]]. On 6 December 1990, after 2 months of widespread civil unrest, Ershad offered his resignation. On 27 February 1991, an interim government oversaw what most observers widely believed to be the nation's most free and fair elections to date. ===Current Parliamentary Era=== ====1991–1996: Khaleda Zia==== {{main|First Khaleda Cabinet}} The center-right BNP won a plurality of seats in the [[1991 Bangladeshi general election|1991 Bangladesh General Election]] and formed a coalition government with the Islamic party [[Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh]], with [[Khaleda Zia]], widow of Ziaur Rahman, obtaining the post of prime minister. Only four parties had more than 10 members elected to the 1991 Parliament: The Bangladesh Nationalist Party, led by Prime Minister Khaleda Zia; the Awami League, led by [[Sheikh Hasina]]; the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), led by [[Golam Azam]]; and the Jatiya Party (JP), led by acting chairman [[Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury]] while its founder, former President Ershad, served out a prison sentence on corruption charges. The electorate approved still more changes to the constitution, formally re-creating a parliamentary system and returning governing power to the office of the prime minister, as in Bangladesh's original 1972 constitution. In October 1991, members of Parliament elected a new head of state, President [[Abdur Rahman Biswas]]. In March 1994, controversy over a parliamentary by-election, which the opposition claimed the government had rigged, led to an indefinite [[boycott]] of Parliament by the entire opposition. The opposition also began a program of repeated general strikes to press its demand that Khaleda Zia's government resign and a caretaker government supervise a general election. Efforts to mediate the dispute, under the auspices of the [[Commonwealth Secretariat]], failed. After another attempt at a negotiated settlement failed narrowly in late December 1994, the opposition resigned en masse from Parliament. The opposition then continued a campaign of Marches, demonstrations, and [[Strike action|strikes]] in an effort to force the government to resign. The year 1995 observed nearly 200 days of general strikes disrupting the countries normal activities. The opposition, including the Awami League's Sheikh Hasina, pledged to boycott national elections scheduled for 15 February 1996. In February, Khaleda Zia was re-elected for the second term by a landslide in voting boycotted and denounced as unfair by the three main opposition parties. In March 1996, following escalating political turmoil, the sitting Parliament enacted a constitutional amendment to allow a neutral caretaker government to assume power conduct new parliamentary elections; former Chief Justice [[Muhammad Habibur Rahman]] was named [[Chief Advisor of Bangladesh|Chief Advisor]] (a position equivalent to prime minister) in the interim government. New parliamentary elections were held in June 1996, and were won by the Awami League; party leader Sheikh Hasina became prime minister. ====1996–2001: Sheikh Hasina==== {{see also|Cabinet Hasina I}} [[File:Defense.gov News Photo 001017-D-9880W-025.jpg|thumb|Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inspects the ceremonial honour guard during a full honour arrival ceremony at the Pentagon on 17 October 2000.]] Sheikh Hasina formed what she called a "Government of National Consensus" in June 1996, which included one minister from the Jatiya Party and another from the [[Jatiyo Samajtantrik Dal]], a very small leftist party. The Jatiya Party never entered into a formal coalition arrangement, and party president H.M. Ershad withdrew his support from the government in September 1997. Only three parties had more than 10 members elected to the 1996 Parliament: The Awami League, BNP, and Jatiya Party. Jatiya Party president, Ershad, was released from prison on bail in January 1997. BNP staged a walkout from parliament in August 1997. The BNP returned to Parliament under another agreement in March 1998. In June 1999, the BNP and other opposition parties again began to abstain from attending Parliament. Opposition parties have staged an increasing number of nationwide [[general strike]]s, rising from 6 days of general strikes in 1997 to 27 days in 1999. A four-party opposition alliance formed at the beginning of 1999 announced that it would boycott parliamentary by-elections and local government elections unless the government took steps demanded by the opposition to ensure electoral fairness. The government did not take these steps, and the opposition has subsequently boycotted all elections, including municipal council elections in February 1999, several parliamentary by-elections, and the Chittagong city corporation elections in January 2000. The opposition demands that the Awami League government step down immediately to make way for a caretaker government to preside over parliamentary and local government. In March 2000, US President [[Bill Clinton]] became the first US president to visit Bangladesh.<ref>{{cite news |last=Chen |first=Edwin |date=21 March 2000 |title=Clinton Touts Ties With Bangladesh |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-mar-21-mn-11124-story.html |work=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref> Hasina later stated that during the visit Clinton wanted to import gas from the Country, but she had to decline due to fear of scarcity of gas and for the welfare of the people as they were heavily dependent on gas.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://bdnews24.com/politics/pm-hasina-says-she-didn-t-give-in-to-president-clinton-s-demand-for-gas |title=PM Hasina says she didn't give in to President Clinton's demand for gas |work=[[bdnews24.com]] |date=15 July 2017}}</ref> ====2001–2006: Khaleda Zia==== {{see also|Second Khaleda Cabinet}} [[File:LulaZia.jpg|thumb|Prime Minister Khaleda Zia with the [[President of Brazil]], [[Lula da Silva]] (2004)]] A Khaleda-led four-party alliance won two-thirds of total parliamentary seats with a total 193 seats, while Awami League won 62 seats. Thus Khaleda Zia won a second term as prime minister in 2001. Her coalition included several Islamist parties. The Awami League walked out from the Parliament in June 2003 to protest derogatory remarks about Sheikh Hasina by a State Minister and the allegedly partisan role of the Parliamentary Speaker. Throughout the year 2004 the opposition party Awami League carried out various processions pressing various demands and claiming government incompetence on various issues. In June 2004, the Awami League returned to Parliament without having any of their demands met. On 21 August 2004, a group of terrorists conducted [[2004 Dhaka grenade attack|vicious grenade attacks]] on a rally held by the opposition party Awami League including leader [[Sheikh Hasina]]. Prominent leaders including [[Ivy Rahman]] were killed in the attack, and Hasina herself sustained injuries to her ears. A total of 13 grenades were blasted and 24 people killed. The Awami League called for a nationwide hartal (general strikes) on 23 and 24 August 2004 following the incident. Begum Khaleda Zia, then Prime Minister of Bangladesh condemned the attacks, and also vowed a strong probe to catch the culprits. But no charge sheet was provided by the investigating departments. Only after the current government tenure ended a neutral probe formed and charge sheet was provided includes terrorist Mufti Hannan. Later, during Awami League tenure another probe formed and alleged that [[Tarique Rahman]] son of Prime Minister Khaleda Zia along with the then Home Minister Lutfuzzaman Babar had masterminded the attack.<ref>{{cite news |title=Khaleda, Tarique involved in Aug 21 grenade attack: Hasina |url=https://bdnews24.com/politics/khaleda-tarique-involved-in-aug-21-grenade-attack-hasina |newspaper=bdnews24.com |date=21 August 2014}}</ref> But BNP has denied the allegations. In 2005, Awami League attended Parliament irregularly before announcing a boycott of the entire June 2005 budget session.<ref>{{cite news |title=Awami League to Boycott Budget Session of Bangladesh Parliament |url=https://www.voabangla.com/a/a-16-2005-06-06-voa5-94362764/1387035.html |work=VoA |date=6 June 2005}}</ref> The BNP government tenure expired in October 2006, and was followed by a period of widespread political crisis. ====2006–2008: Caretaker government: Fakhruddin Ahmed==== {{main|2006–2008 Bangladeshi political crisis}} [[File:Hamid Karzai, Pervez Musharraf, Fakhruddin Ahmed - WEF Annual Meeting Davos 2008.jpg|thumbnail|left|[[Hamid Karzai]], [[Pervez Musharraf]], and [[Fakhruddin Ahmed]] at the Annual Meeting 2008 of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland]] Following the end of Khaleda Zia's government in late October 2006, there were protests and strikes over uncertainty about who would head the caretaker government (which was accused of BNP bias), held by Awami League, paralyzing the country and resulting in the death of at least 40 people in the following month in November 2006.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/it%E2%80%99s-1%E2%81%8411-amnesia-1752 |title=It's 1⁄11 amnesia |date=11 February 2015 |work=The Daily Star}}</ref> An election was scheduled for the beginning of 2007, however it did not take place. Given the parties' failure to agree on a candidate For Chief Advisor, according to the constitution the position devolved to the President, [[Iajuddin Ahmed]], serving since 2002. He took it on in addition to his regular responsibilities, which under the caretaker government included the Defense Ministry. Iajuddin Ahmed formed a government, appointing ten advisors to a council to act as ministers. He appointed his press spokesman, the journalist-editor turned politician [[Mukhlesur Rahman Chowdhury|M Mukhlesur Rahman Chowdhury]], as his chief Presidential Advisor, with the status of Minister of State. Chowdhury had the responsibility to negotiate with the political parties to bring them to participation in the election.{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}} In January 2007, [[Iajuddin Ahmed]] stepped down as the head of the caretaker government, under pressure from the military.{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}} [[Fakhruddin Ahmed]], former [[World Bank]] economist, was selected to replace him and with the commitment to rooting out corruption and preparing a better voter list. Fakhruddin Ahmed became the Chief Advisor. A [[State of Emergency]] was declared and a massive campaign to crack down on corruption was undertaken. By July 2007, some 200,000 people had been arrested under corruption charges. The government said it would hold elections before the end of 2008. In April 2007, Ahmed's military backed administration attempted to reform the political parties by exiling Hasina and Zia, but this was never enforced. Hasina, who had been visiting her children in the US, was allowed to return but she had to face serious charges, including involvement in the assassination of four political rivals. In July, she was arrested after two businessmen testified that she had extorted [[taka|৳]]80 million (US$1.16 million) from them.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ramesh |first=Randeep |date=16 July 2007 |title=Former Bangladesh PM arrested in corruption crackdown |url=https://www.theguardian.com/international/story/0,,2127664,00.html |newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref> This provoked angry protests from her supporters; even her bitter rival [[Khaleda Zia]], as well as six British MPs and MEPs, called for her release.<ref>{{cite news |title=UK MPs denounce Bangladesh arrest |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6911237.stm |work=BBC News |date=23 July 2007}}</ref> Khaleda herself faced charges of tax evasion and was later arrested. [[Tarique Rahman]] was taken to custody for the 2004 grenade attacks and various corruption charges including money laundering, and was later sent on forced exile on 11 September 2008 and since then has not been able to return to the country.<ref>{{cite news |title=Tarique flies into exile in London |url=https://bdnews24.com/politics/tarique-flies-into-exile-in-london |work=bdnews24.com |date=12 September 2008}}</ref> After holding power for almost two years, the political situation had finally calmed and Ahmed decided to return parliamentary democracy, testing the political situation with some local elections held on 4 August 2008, which were peaceful.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7466479.stm |work=BBC News |title=Bangladesh to hold local election |date=20 June 2008 |access-date=22 April 2010}}</ref> Both Hasina and Khaleda were finally released from prison and the General elections were held on 29 December 2008. The Awami League and its Grand Alliance won the elections with two-thirds of the seats in parliament. The BNP and its four-party alliance, including [[Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami|Jamaat-e-Islami]], comprised the major opposition. ====2009–2024: Sheikh Hasina==== {{see also|Third Sheikh Hasina Cabinet}} [[File:Russia-Bangladeshi talks Moscow 2013-01-15 03.jpeg|thumb|400px|Sheikh Hasina with [[Vladimir Putin]] in Moscow (2013)]] The [[Bangladesh Awami League|Awami League]] came to power by winning the vast majority of parliament seats in the election held on 29 December 2008, and [[Sheikh Hasina]] became the Prime Minister of Bangladesh for the second time. Her cabinet took oath on 6 January 2009. HM Ershad was promised to be made President in exchange for support for Awami League, but despite supporting Awami League, this promise was not fulfilled and [[Zillur Rahman]] became president. The first two years under this government was peaceful, but a debatable issue took place when the Awami League government enforced an existing law to reclaim the house where Khaleda Zia had lived for nearly 40 years for a nominal cost. Khaleda Zia moved to the house of her brother Sayeed Iskandar at Gulshan. In protest BNP would abstain from parliament. This period also observed tremendous economic growth. Controversy erupted in 2011 after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina declared the abolition of the care-taker government system, contradicting her own motives and views in the mid-1990s when she had demanded that elections should be held under neutral care-taker governments. Hasina justified this by stating that a neutral care-taker government may abuse its power (referring to the care-taker government crisis in 2006–2008) and take unlawful and autocratic control of the country. At the same time, arrests and trials of members accused of war crimes of the political party Jamaat-e-Islami had begun. This caused major disagreements among the ruling Awami League with the chief opposition party BNP and its major ally Jamaat. In a bid to return to the 1972 Constitution, the government made several reforms to the constitution of Bangladesh in 2011, and readopted Secularism. In 2012, a coup attempt against Hasina by mid-ranking army officers was stopped, with Bangladesh army being tipped off by Indian intelligence agency. Also in 2012, Bangladesh won a legal battle against [[Myanmar]] under international court regarding disputed sea territories, giving Bangladesh a tremendous advantage on the oceanic areas.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/702671/bangladesh-wins-sea-claim-battle-with-myanmar |title=Bangladesh wins sea claim battle with Myanmar |work=Dawn |date=14 March 2012}}</ref> The period 2012-2014 was marked by widespread political unrest and violence in strikes and riots initiated by the opposition party. Petrol bombs were utilized for arson attacks. Members of both the ruling party and opposition party clashed throughout the whole nation resulting in injuries and deaths. Both the ruling party and the opposition received International criticism.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Yardley |first1=Jim |last2=Manik |first2=Julfikar Ali |date=6 May 2013 |title=Protests in Bangladesh Seeking Anti-Blasphemy Law Turn Deadly |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/07/world/asia/two-days-of-riots-in-bangladesh-turn-deadly.html |work=The New York Times}}</ref> The scheduled date of the 10th general election was 5 January 2014. The opposition party received several pleas by the ruling party to abandon their path of violence and join the election, but they repeatedly declined. Despite the crisis the controversial 5 January 2014 election was held with mass boycott from BNP and its major allies. At least 21 people were killed on the 5 January election day violence.<ref>{{cite news |title='Failed election' on 5 Jan 2014 |url=https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/%E2%80%9CFailed-election%E2%80%9D-on-5-Jan-2014 |work=Prothom Alo |date=20 February 2015}}</ref> Awami League had a landslide victory, and Sheikh Hasina was sworn in as prime minister for the third time on 9 January 2014, while Rowshan Ershad of the Jatiya Party became the new leader of the opposition, as Khaleda-led BNP boycotted the election. The ongoing BNP-Jamaat protests diluted after failing to stop the January 2014 election, and overthrow the ruling party, and by the end of March 2014, political stability was reached. In the [[2014 Bangladeshi general election|tenth general election]], [[Sheikh Hasina]] won a controversial one-sided [[walkover|walkover election]] after her main rival [[Khaleda Zia]] and all other opposition parties [[election boycott|boycotted]] the polls. Awami League once again took office on 9 January 2014. Over 100 people were killed in the 2016 Union Parishad Election in violent clashes between Awami League and BNP supporters.<ref>{{cite news |last=Chowdhury |first=Moinul Hoque |date=4 June 2016 |title=Bangladesh braces for final round of union council elections that have left over 100 dead |url=https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/bangladesh-braces-for-final-round-of-union-council-elections-that-have-left-over-100-dead |newspaper=bdnews24.com }}</ref> In April 2017 Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina made a landmark visit to neighboring India and signed 22 new deals and MoUs with India taking the Indo-BD bilateral relationships to a new height. This also included a defense cooperation, originally proposed by India.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://thedailynewnation.com/news/130240/bd-india-sign-22-deals-mous.html |title=BD, India sign 22 deals, MoUs |work=The New Nation |date=9 April 2017}}</ref> BNP harshly criticized the move with Khaleda alleging the ruling party was selling Bangladesh to India and pointing the Government's failure to make the long-awaited Teesta deal. Awami League dismissed the allegations, assuring that it was just a framework to strengthen regional ties with India. Also in 2017 Bangladesh was met with the [[Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh|2017 Rohingya Refugee Crisis]], in which the government received international praise for allowing over 700,000 Rohingya refugees fleeing violence in Myanmar ([[Rohingya genocide|where around 20,000 of them were killed]]) into the country but also some domestic criticisms due to this being an additional burden to Bangladesh a country already overpopulated with 17 crore (170 million) people and having a small land.<ref>{{cite news |title=Myanmar: What sparked latest violence in Rakhine? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-41082689 |work=BBC News |date=19 September 2017}}</ref> [[File:G7 members and Guest Invitees group photo.jpg|thumb|Hasina with G7 Leaders and guests, Shima Kanko Hotel in Japan, 2016]] Most of the post 2014 election period however saw political calm. Tensions between the BNP and Awami League reignited in 2018 after BNP once again started pressing demands for a neutral caretaker government to observe the 11th general election. BNP also criticized Awami League's rising dependency on law enforcement agencies such as the police force and for holding back people's freedom of speech.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/politics/bnp-threatens-mass-upsurge-restore-democracy-1515520 |title=BNP threatens of mass upsurge to 'restore' democracy |work=The Daily Star |date=5 January 2018}}</ref> On 8 February 2018 Khaleda Zia and [[Tarique Rahman]] as per court verdict, were jailed for 5 and 10 years respectively due to their involvement in the [[Zia Charitable Trust corruption case]]. While Tarique was on exile, Khaleda would be imprisoned on old Dhaka Central Jail located in Nazimuddin Road. BNP totally rejected the verdict, alleging that it was Awami League's conspiracy to destroy their party and to keep them out of the next general election. In protest BNP held nationwide demonstrations, which were foiled by the well prepared police force across the nation, with a large number of BNP members also being arrested during clashes with the police.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/politics/khaleda-zia-orphanage-trust-corruption-case-verdict-on-way-to-special-court-dhaka-bangladesh-1531711 |title=Khaleda lands in jail for corruption |work=The Daily Star |date=8 February 2018}}</ref> After Khaleda Zia was jailed, BNP Secretary General [[Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir]] and prominent leader [[Ruhul Kabir Rizvi]] oversaw most of the party's activities. After Khalada Zia's prison sentence was challenged at the [[High Court]], it was increased to 10 years, potentially ending her political career.<ref>{{cite news |title=High Court raises jail term to 10 years for Khaleda Zia in orphanage graft case |url=https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/high-court-raises-jail-term-to-10-years-for-khaleda-zia-in-orphanage-graft-case |work=bdnews24.com |date=30 October 2018}}</ref> During this time the government passed the controversial "Digital Security Act 2018", under which any criticisms of the government over the internet or any other media, would be met with various degrees of prison terms.<ref>{{cite news |title=Tool ripe for abuse: HRW |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/politics/digital-security-act-2018-overly-broad-ripe-abuse-human-rights-watch-1638454 |work=The Daily Star |date=26 September 2018}}</ref> On 22 September 2018, in a massive rally, the newly formed coalition party: Jatiya Oikya Prokriya (JOP), a platform led by Dr. [[Kamal Hossain]] and Prof. [[Badruddoza Chowdhury]], allied themselves with the main opposition party [[Bangladesh Nationalist Party|BNP]], on condition BNP will no longer be alliance with Jamaat, and vowed joint movements to restore democracy. The BNP-JOP alliance was named the [[Jatiya Oikya Front]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Greater unity taking shape |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/politics/bnp-join-today-jatiya-oikya-prokriya-rally-1637062 |work=The Daily Star |date=23 September 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Antara |first=Nawaz Farhin |date=24 September 2018 |title=Will Jatiya Oikya Prokriya be a game changer in election 2018? |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/election/2018/09/24/will-jatiya-oikya-prokriya-be-a-game-changer-in-election-2018 |work=Dhaka Tribune}}</ref> The Awami League General Secretary [[Obaidul Quader]] called the opposing Jatiya Oikya Front, weak and stated that the opposing alliance was not being viewed as a credible threat by the Government.<ref>{{cite news |title=BNP's dream will never come true |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/politics/bnp-will-not-be-able-wage-demo-before-bangladesh-national-election-1637446 |work=The Daily Star |date=24 September 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Not national but a 'hotchpotch unity' |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/city/news/not-national-hotchpotch-unity-1638307 |work=The Daily Star |date=25 September 2018}}</ref> On 10 October 2018, court verdict against the [[2004 Dhaka grenade attack|2004 grenade attack]] was given. Top BNP leader Lutfuzzaman Babar was given the death penalty and Tariqe Rahman was given life term imprisonment. BNP rejected the verdict and carried out protests against it.<ref>{{cite news |title=Grenade attack in 2004 was designed to 'obliterate' Awami League, says judge |url=https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/grenade-attack-in-2004-was-designed-to-obliterate-awami-league-says-judge |work=bdnews24.com |date=10 October 2018}}</ref> During this time, Kamal Hossain as the leader of the Jatiya Oikya Front became the main opposition leader.<ref>{{cite news |title=Movement if talks fail |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/politics/public-gathering-suhrawardy-udyan-in-dhaka-jatiya-oikyafront-rally-1656937 |work=The Daily Star |date=7 November 2018}}</ref> The [[2018 Bangladeshi general election]] was held on 30 December 2018. On the election day at least 14 people died in violence between the Awami League supporters and the Jatiya Oikya Front supporters.<ref>{{cite news |title=14 killed in Bangladesh election violence |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/412680-14-killed-in-bangladesh-election-violence |work=The News International |agency=Agence France-Presse|date=31 December 2018}}</ref> The Awami League returned to power winning 259 out of 300 parliamentary seats, making up the largest government body in Bangladesh after 1973 (where Awami League had won 293 out of 300 seats). The Jatiya Oikya Front only won 7 seats and alleged the 2018 election to be rigged and opted to boycott the parliament and stated that they would demand for fresh elections. The Jatiya Party became the main opposition party with only 20 seats.<ref>{{cite news |title=World leaders congratulate Sheikh Hasina |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/bangladesh-national-election-2018/news/world-leaders-congratulate-sheikh-hasina-1681441 |work=The Daily Star |date=1 January 2019}}</ref> [[Bangladesh Awami League]] leader [[Sheikh Hasina]]'s new cabinet took oath on 3 January 2019.<ref>{{cite news |date=3 January 2019 |title=11th parliament takes oath |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/election/2019/01/03/newly-elected-mps-take-oath |work=Dhaka Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Election Commission dismissive of TIB report on polls |url=https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/election-commission-dismissive-of-tib-report-on-polls |work=bdnews24.com |date=15 January 2019}}</ref> Despite refusing to sell gas (LPG) at a better deal to the US back in 2000, in October 2019 Sheikh Hasina in a contradictory statement controversially stated that she will sell LPG to India despite the scarcity of LPG in Bangladesh (BD). Hasina also stated she will give India free access to extract BD's [[Feni River|Feni]] water, despite her failure to secure the Teesta river sharing deal.<ref>{{cite news |title=Search all university dorms |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/bangladesh-pm-sheikh-hasina-says-search-all-university-dorms-1811743 |work=The Daily Star |date=10 October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Bangladesh allows India to withdraw Feni river water |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/politics/sheikh-hasina-narendra-modi-talks-begin-in-new-delhi-prioritises-bangladesh-india-relation-1809646 |work=The Daily Star |date=5 October 2019}}</ref> The dispute between Bangladesh and Myanmar over the unresolved [[Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh|Rohingya Refugee Crisis]] continued during this period, with Myanmar's unwillingness to take back the refugees.<ref>{{cite news |title=Myanmar Rohingya: Suu Kyi accused of 'silence' in genocide trial |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-50763180 |work=BBC News |date=12 December 2019}}</ref> In October 2020 Myanmar deployed their army troops on the Bangladesh border. Bangladesh appealed to the [[UN Security Council]] to prevent any escalation. Later Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina assured "a safe zone must be created for the Rohingyas Refugees. If that is done, Myanmar will face a huge problem in the Rakhine region. I don't think Myanmar will lock in war with Bangladesh; [[China]] will not let that happen." No further escalations have been reported, Bangladesh and Myanmar have since remained in peace militarily, but the diplomatic dispute continues to be debated at the UN.<ref>{{cite news |last=Al Javed |first=Hasan |date=14 September 2020 |title=Myanmar deploys over 2,500 more troops near Bangladesh border |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/world/south-asia/2020/09/14/myanmar-deploys-over-2-500-more-troops-near-bangladesh-border |work=[[Dhaka Tribune]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media |script-title=bn:মিয়ানমারকে আয়নায় মুখ দেখতে বলেছে বাংলাদেশ |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4vIKhzgeio |publisher=ATN News |via=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Mortoza |first=Golam |date=1 October 2020 |title='Two Asian powerhouses are competing in Myanmar's Rakhine' |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/opinion/news/two-asian-powerhouses-are-competing-myanmars-rakhine-1970853 |work=The Daily Star |type=Opinion}}</ref> Since the 2018 General Election the nation witnessed four years of political calm. But in 2022 BNP increasingly started to criticize the Awami League Government over rising inflationary crisis, including unsustainable fuel and energy price hikes as well as massive power outage despite the Government's promise to implement 100% electricity in the nation. While price levels of every items especially food, begun to rise, people's income level became stale and the Prime Minister herself warned of possible famine in the future and called for the general public to reduce their consumption, however did not say anything about politicians and government officials living luxurious lives.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/engage-food-production-evade-possible-famine-pm-asks-youths-523742 | title=Engage in food production to evade possible famine: PM asks youths |work=The Business Standard | date=November 2022 }}</ref> This cumulated to BNP staging massive protest on 24 December 2022, during clashes with the police one BNP activist was killed.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/politics/4lci1dmaqp | title=One killed as BNP-police clash in Panchagarh |work=Prothom Alo | date=24 December 2022 }}</ref> Despite these criticisms the Awami League achieved numerous economic development in the nation, including the opening of the [[Padma Bridge]] and the [[Dhaka Metro Rail]] on 25 June 2022 and 28 December 2022 respectively.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/government/8iqmqns5dp | title=Metro rail another feather of Bangladesh's development crown: PM Hasina |work=Prothom Alo | date=28 December 2022 }}</ref> On 1 January 2024 the government came under international controversy and criticism after their involvement in Nobel laureate [[Muhammad Yunus]] being convicted under labor law that was allegedly a false case.<ref>{{cite news |title=Nobel laureate Yunus convicted in Bangladesh labour law case |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/nobel-laureate-muhammad-yunus-convicted-bangladesh-labour-law-case-2024-01-01/ |work=Reuters |date=1 January 2024}}</ref> Unlike the 2014 and 2018 general elections which were marred by violence, the [[2024 Bangladeshi general election]] held on 7 January 2024 were generally peaceful and once again won by Awami League.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://bdnews24.com/politics/ew2d0sq1et | title=Can an alliance of independents replace Jatiya Party as opposition? Experts say 'yes' |work=bdnews24.com}}</ref> The Awami League Government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina took oath for a record fourth consecutive time on 10 January 2024.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://bdnews24.com/politics/n8swqymb86 | title=Hasina picked as leader of the House |work=bdnews24.com}}</ref> The election was boycotted by the main opposition [[Bangladesh Nationalist Party]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Bangladesh election: PM Sheikh Hasina wins fourth term in controversial vote |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-67889387 |work=BBC News |date=7 January 2024}}</ref> Bangladesh was however grappled by large scale protests in July and August 2024 namely the [[2024 Bangladesh quota reform movement]] and the [[Non-cooperation movement (2024)|2024 Non-cooperation movement]] and both protests were met by brutal resistance that resulted in hundreds of deaths across the whole country and the eventual resignation of the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League government on 5 August 2024, and Sheikh Hasina subsequently fled to India on the same day.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dhar |first=Aniruddha |date=5 August 2024 |title=Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigns, flees country as protestors storm palace |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/bangladesh-pm-sheikh-hasina-resigns-flees-country-as-protesters-storm-palace-report-101722850283514.html |access-date=5 August 2024 |work=Hindustan Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Bangladesh taking steps to extradite former PM Hasina from India |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/9/9/bangladesh-taking-steps-to-extradite-former-pm-hasina-from-india |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref> ====2024–Present: Interim Government: Muhammad Yunus==== {{Main|2024 Bangladesh Interim Government}} On 5 August 2024, following the fall of the previous government, the Army Chief [[Waker-uz-Zaman]] addressed the whole nation at 4 PM on the same day assuring the formation of an interim government within a few days.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/defying-curfew-hundreds-thousands-protesters-heading-towards-shahbagh-3669946 | title=Hasina resigns; interim govt to be formed; all offices to open Tuesday |work=The Daily Star | date=5 August 2024 }}</ref> The interim government headed by Nobel laureate [[Muhammad Yunus]] as Chief Advisor was formed on 8 August 2024 through his oath of office.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/yunus-led-interim-govt-sworn-3672581 | title=Yunus-led interim govt sworn in |work=The Daily Star | date=8 August 2024 }}</ref> 16 advisors took oath under Yunus, they were: *# [[Salehuddin Ahmed (economist)|Salehuddin Ahmed]] *# [[Asif Nazrul|Dr. Asif Nazrul]] *# [[Adilur Rahman Khan]] *# [[A. F. Hassan Ariff|Hassan Ariff]] *# [[Md. Touhid Hossain]] *# [[Rizwana Hasan|Syeda Rizwana Hasan]] *# [[Sharmeen Murshid|Sharmeen S Murshid]] *# [[Faruk-e-Azam]] *# [[M Sakhawat Hossain|Brigadier General (Retired) M Sakhawat Hossain]] *# [[Supradip Chakma]] *# [[Bidhan Ranjan Roy]] *# [[A F M Khalid Hossain|Dr. A F M Khalid Hossain]] *# [[Farida Akhter]] *# [[Nurjahan Begum (banker)|Nurjahan Begum]] *# [[Nahid Islam|Md Nahid Islam]] *# [[Asif Mahmud|Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan]] Law adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul stated that the thirteenth general election may be possible by 2025.<ref>https://www.newagebd.net/post/country/248031/next-election-in-bangladesh-realistically-possible-by-2025-asif-nazrul</ref> However he was contradicted by Religious Affairs Adviser AFM Khalid Hossain who said the date for the next general election has not yet been decided by the Interim Government.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-19 |title=Election remarks by Asif Nazrul, army chief not official govt stance: Adviser Khalid |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/election-remarks-asif-nazrul-army-chief-not-official-govt-stance-adviser-khalid-970466 |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=The Business Standard |language=en}}</ref> In January 2025 the Interim Government came under criticism for increasing VAT on numerous essential commodities amidst the country's existing uncontrolled inflationary crisis.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/369963/vat-hike-looms-public-costs-set-to-rise-amid | title=VAT hike looms: Public costs set to rise amid economic concerns }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/370446/which-products-services-are-facing-increased-vat?_gl=1*1tde6az*_ga*WlR1VmtrZXRLdGFWQV9BYUxLYjRoUVZicG9fV3Z0VHk4TFFtZTF1ZC1nVmFLMnB0ZjczbHZ4bXV0a2xJOUxRdA..*_ga_Y89GY1L8WV*MTczNjUyMjQxMC4yLjEuMTczNjUyMjg0My4wLjAuMA | title=Price surge ahead: Govt hikes VAT and duties for 100+ items }}</ref> On 28 February a new political party named [[National Citizen Party]] was formed by the leaders of the [[July Revolution (Bangladesh)]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Bangladeshi students launch political party after ousting PM Hasina |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/bangladeshi-students-launch-political-party-after-ousting-pm-hasina-2025-02-28/ |access-date=1 March 2025 |work=[[Reuters]] |date=28 February 2025}}</ref> ==See also== * [[Government of Bangladesh]] * [[Cabinet of Bangladesh]] * [[Censorship in Bangladesh]] * [[Poverty in Bangladesh]] ==Notes== {{reflist|group=lower-roman}} ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== * [https://web.archive.org/web/20080516160013/http://report.globalintegrity.org/Bangladesh Global Integrity Report: Bangladesh] has details of anti-corruption efforts (archived). {{Asia topic|Politics of}} {{Bangladesh topics}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Politics Of Bangladesh}} [[Category:Politics of Bangladesh| ]]
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