Politics is becoming increasingly complex in Bangladesh. In one hand, repeatedly international media are seeing rise of Islamist militancy in the country, while the gap between the political parties are increasing, leaving serious doubts about holding of the next general election in 2007. On the other hand, number of neo-millionaires is increasing in the country, most of whom are acquiring such wealth by using their affiliations with the power. Despite the fact that Bangladesh topped the list of most corrupt nations for consecutive five times, there is visibly no change in the scenario. Rather corruption is becoming an integral part of the republic. See any of the reports in the local media! There are series of evidently proved stories on the corruption of politicians and officials, which are rather ignored by the government and the Anti Corruption Commission. Situation is becoming so difficult that it would be impossible in future to speak against corruption or corrupts in this country, as many of the corrupts are successfully building strong media bases too by owning newspapers and television channels.

In recent days, there is virtually a notorious race between the ruling and opposition political forces in gaining the support of Jatiyo Party led by former dictator Hussain Muhammed Ershad. It may be recalled here that, only in 1990, both Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Bangladesh Awami League along with the left political fronts formed a kind of joint platform to press the demand of resignation of Ershad citing the examples of corruption by him and his palls. But just in sixteen years, now the same political opponents of Ershad are rather desperate in getting his blessings to be in power in January next year. Now, at least the ruling alliance is heading in the race with Ershad’s quite open declaration of joining the four party alliances, while Bangladesh Awami League, which had been even recently seeing Ershad as a man of worth, is busy is saying bad words as he has not agreed to join them.

While the political parties are busy in finalizing their electoral strategies with a pre-election fever in the entire country, doubts and speculations about the emergence of third force is still very much alive in the political circle in Bangladesh. Many people are saying with certainty that, if Ershad will finally join the four-party alliances, it will be simply impossible for Bangladesh Awami League to win the next election. In this case, there will be a million dollar question as to whether the main opposition would participate in the election of certain defeat. Awami League is also aware of these realities and according to highly placed sources in the party, supreme leaders is also preparing for a mass movement opposing the election if things will go beyond their reach. Meanwhile, according a recent press report, a controversial non government organization is conspiring to stage countrywide bomb attack in next several weeks under the banner of JMB and Harkatul Jihad with the ulterior motive of maligning the ruling government. There had already been a secret meeting of this NGO in country’s port city where specific plans were drawn to successfully execute the blue print. Although the report is yet to be either opposed by the alleged NGO, several intelligence sources are already anticipating massive destructive activities in Bangladesh in the coming weeks. Bangladesh’s state minister for Home Affairs Lutfozzaman Babar already told the press that his government was committed in eliminating religious radicals from the country and they would do everything to ensure safety and security to the nation, he also admitted that it was not possible for any government to achieve such targets in several months or years.

The statement is significant enough for the conscious citizen of the country! It also indicates clearly that the possibility of any notoriety by the Islamist militancy could not be totally ignored. Certainly, in this case, there should be substantial questions and doubts about the next general election in Bangladesh. If so, what awaits next is only time could say.