Bangladesh’s system of caretaker government is seen as a successful exercise in allowing free and fair elections, but the country’s current political crises can be traced back to this hasty, imperfect arrangement.
Bangladesh’s worsening problems are the result of systemic political failure. Even as anger mounts in the midst of pre-election jockeying, however, the truth of the matter is that little will change after Bangladeshis head to the polls in January. Regardless of who wins, it won’t be the people.
Wind –
Even when it is not blowing, it blows
Who can lash down the wind?
– Ramesh Prajapati in the Hindi poem "Hawa"
They asked for no answers, made no threats
Gentlefolk, they went away
Now, the rustle of leaves speaks of fear
— Ashok Vajpeyi in 'They are here'
The perplexity of Ram Sharan Mahat is palpable. He did everything according to the book of the Washington Consensus, and religiously followed every prescription of IMF-World Bank. The results weren&
