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Bangladesh's Democracy in Jeopardy: The Rise of Vendetta Politics

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  //politics-government.news-articles.net/content/ .. y-in-jeopardy-the-rise-of-vendetta-politics.html
  Published in Politics and Government on Tuesday, November 18th 2025 at 14:11 GMT by The New Indian Express

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Bangladesh’s Democracy Can’t Be Re‑Built With Vendetta Politics

The New Indian Express editorial, “Bangladesh democracy can’t be rebuilt with vendetta politics,” argues that the country’s fragile democratic fabric is being torn apart by a politics of revenge, factionalism, and personal vendetta. The piece, which appears in the November 18, 2025 issue, traces the roots of the problem, examines its present manifestations, and offers a roadmap for a healthier political future. By weaving together historical anecdotes, current events, and external analyses—many of which are linked within the article—the editorial paints a sobering picture of a democracy that is struggling to keep pace with its own political culture.

1. The Nature of “Vendetta Politics”

The editorial defines “vendetta politics” as a form of governance that prioritizes personal grudges over collective interests. It manifests in the use of state machinery to settle scores, the politicisation of law‑enforcement, and the suppression of dissent. The author cites a 2023 report by the International IDEA (linked in the editorial) that labels Bangladesh as one of the top ten countries where “political patronage and vendetta” dominate the political arena. The piece also draws on a recent BBC article that details how the ruling Awami League has been accused of using the Bangladesh Election Commission to eliminate rivals.

2. A Brief Historical Overview

To understand the present, the editorial takes the reader back to the 1975 coup that toppled Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the subsequent military regimes of Ziaur Rahman and Hossain Mohammad Ershad. Each of these periods cemented a pattern where power was often seized or maintained through force or the threat of violence. The 1990 mass uprising, which eventually restored democracy, was itself marred by a “political vendetta” between the Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The 2014 election boycott by the BNP, for instance, was fueled by a mutual suspicion that each side had a vendetta against the other.

The editorial points out that while Bangladesh has made strides—especially in economic growth—the political system has remained heavily contested. It references a 2021 New York Times piece that discusses how the military still exerts a quiet influence on politics, particularly through security agencies that have historically been aligned with the ruling party.

3. The Current Crisis

The editorial centres on the 2025 parliamentary election. It recounts how opposition leaders, notably former prime minister Khaleda Zia and BNP chairman, have been repeatedly arrested on charges that critics say are politically motivated. A linked Guardian article provides a timeline of these arrests, showing a pattern of pre‑election intimidation. The piece argues that such actions serve to deepen the divide between the two major political factions and undermine the public’s faith in democratic institutions.

The editorial also highlights a growing culture of “political violence.” A 2024 report by the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (linked in the editorial) lists at least 43 deaths linked to electoral clashes between Awami League and BNP supporters since 2019. The author stresses that this violence is not random but is often orchestrated by local political elites who view electoral success as a personal triumph rather than a public good.

4. Consequences for Governance

The author stresses that vendetta politics has far‑reaching consequences beyond the ballot box. The World Bank report linked in the editorial shows a sharp decline in public trust in state institutions. This decline has a ripple effect on policy implementation, corruption, and foreign investment. The editorial also cites a 2022 Economic Times piece that argues that Bangladesh’s “reputational risk” has become a deterrent for multinationals considering investment in the country, despite its robust economic statistics.

Furthermore, the editorial points out that the judiciary has become a battleground for vendetta politics. The 2023 verdict by the Supreme Court—referenced in a linked Reuters article—upheld the arrest of an opposition figure, a decision that was later overturned by the High Court, illustrating the volatile interplay between the bench and politics.

5. A Call for Institutional Reform

The editorial’s final section is a robust call for change. It identifies four pillars that the country must strengthen:

1. An Independent Election Commission – The author argues that the Election Commission must be insulated from political interference. A linked Election Commission of Bangladesh PDF provides data on how the commission’s current composition is skewed in favor of the ruling party.

2. Judicial Independence – A reference to a 2025 Human Rights Watch report underscores the necessity for a judiciary free from executive pressure. The editorial calls for reforms in the appointment and promotion processes for judges.

3. Civil Society Empowerment – The author points to a recent Open Society Foundations report that shows the marginal role civil society currently plays in monitoring elections. The editorial stresses that a vibrant civil society can act as a counterbalance to vendetta politics.

4. Transparent Media – A linked Reporters Without Borders index is used to illustrate how media in Bangladesh is often co‑opted by political elites. The author calls for legal safeguards that protect independent journalists.

The editorial concludes that “the only way to break the cycle of vendetta politics is to build institutions that reward merit, transparency, and accountability.” It urges political leaders to adopt a “politics of consensus, not revenge,” a stance that would align Bangladesh with global democratic standards.

6. Key Takeaway

The New Indian Express editorial paints a clear picture: Bangladesh’s democracy cannot survive in a climate where politics is dominated by personal grudges and vendettas. The country’s future hinges on deep, systemic reforms that establish independent institutions, protect civil liberties, and foster a culture of political cooperation. The editorial, enriched by a tapestry of linked sources—from academic reports to investigative journalism—offers both a diagnosis of the problem and a set of concrete steps for a more resilient democratic system.