Rehman Sobhan stated that major political parties lack democratic principles
Rehman Sobhan remarked that the last three national elections were marred by irregularities, and lawmakers served merely as ceremonial rubber stamps.
Renowned economist Rehman Sobhan has criticized the country’s major political parties, describing them as undemocratic due to the concentration of power at their highest levels.
Speaking at a programme organized by the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) in Dhaka on Saturday, Sobhan highlighted several challenges facing the nation. He pointed out that the last three national elections were deeply flawed, with lawmakers functioning merely as symbolic rubber stamps.
Sobhan also expressed concern over the erosion of the local government system, which he described as dysfunctional. He noted that lawmakers have essentially taken on the role of landlords in their constituencies, undermining effective governance.
Despite these criticisms, Sobhan acknowledged the previous government’s commendable efforts in reducing poverty, although he acknowledged the ongoing debates surrounding growth figures and statistical accuracy.
Sobhan further identified structural issues that contribute to inequality in the country. He criticized government policies that offer benefits to loan defaulters, arguing that such measures exacerbate inequity. He warned that societal discrimination is increasing but remains unaddressed, emphasizing that meaningful corrective actions are possible if the root causes of these disparities are properly identified.
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