In the political landscape of the country, the government now faces the challenge of retaining power and ensuring free, credible and inclusive elections. If the government sees such an election as risky, it will have to find ways to deflect pressure from the US and the Western world. If they do this, China will be with them.
The Indian Foreign Secretary visited Bangladesh on Wednesday and reiterated India’s full support for the leadership of Sheikh Hasina. That is, it will not be difficult for the government to have the two superpowers of the region, India and China, in its favor. And if he can negotiate with the US, meet some of its demands and reach some kind of agreement, he will be able to save all sides.
How comfortable is such a situation for Bangladesh and its people in view of the upcoming elections? Will the elections like 2014 or 2018 or the new strategy of unilateral elections be acceptable to the public? Bangladesh is gaining geopolitical importance and we can celebrate it. But if geopolitics becomes the sole regulator of the country’s politics and the importance of the people diminishes, it surely spells disaster.
* AKM Zakaria is the Deputy Editor of Prothom Elo.
, * This column appeared in the print and online editions of Prothom Alo and has been rewritten for the English edition by Ayesha Kabir,