Bangladesh's grand politics: Who's really directing the show?

Ah, Bangladesh! My beloved nation-perpetually at a "critical crossroads," much like a master's student who's read too much Gramsci to remain confused. "The old world is dying, and the new world struggles to be born; now is the time of monsters," wrote Italian Marxist philosopher Antonio Gramsci. Clearly, the man had a front-row ticket to Dhaka's political circus.

- SHAHAB ENAM KHAN

If ever there were a residency programme for Gramsci's monsters, it's here—as Bangladesh stumbles from kleptocracy towards something vaguely resembling democracy. The real challenge isn't spotting the monsters; it's finding anyone with enough brain cells to slay them.

The country's interim government shoulders a responsibility so heavy it's practically collapsing under it. To its absolute credit, it prevented an economic meltdown, allowed the financial sector to thrive, and kept social chaos from boiling over. But its weaknesses are dazzling. Governance gaps, unmet reform promises, and a noticeable disconnect from public sentiment have produced a splendid cocktail of confusion.

The erosion of secular political plurality, the gradual rise of far-right populism among our power falcons, and that sporadic mosaic of violence continue to blur the line between who wags whom—the dog or the tail. The interim's definition of "public" feels alarmingly familiar: much like the Awami League's version, where "public" meant "our voters," and the rest were decorative extras.

Yet, after the signing of the July National Charter, Bangladesh has apparently once again become a "new Bangladesh"—a convenient avowal that has become a cliché!

Meanwhile, the Election Commission's roadmap remains elusive. Even Jamaat-e-Islami has expressed exasperation and humming about proportional representation, while the BNP-ever-evolving—now talks of restoring the credibility of the electoral process. All parties agree on one point: reform within the interim cabinet, reflecting a growing lack of confidence in some advisers! Irony!