Party politics under a non-party caretaker government in Bangladesh: the Fakhruddin interregnum (2007–09)

Abstract

This paper explores the logic and politics of the range of measures undertaken by the non-party caretaker government to reform the political sector, particularly political parties, in Bangladesh between January 2007 and December 2008. It was argued by the military-backed government, and supported by civil society, that the reforms were necessary to cleanse party politics which was considered to be a serious obstacle to the institutionalisation of elections and the consolidation of democracy in Bangladesh. The article argues that rather than achieving any major success in reforming the party system, measures taken by the non-party caretaker government reinforced the ‘old’ party politics characterised, among others, by over-concentration of power in the party chief, inter-party rivalry and suspicion, lack of mutual trust, dynastic domination of party leadership, and lack of democratic orientation of parties. It examines the factors that account for the resilience of ‘old’ party politics and explains its implications for party institutionalisation and democratic consolidation in Bangladesh.