Staff Reporter :
Adviser of the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Planning Wahiduddin Mahmud stated that a politically elected government is likely to be witnessed next year. “This government is very short-term.
I personally think that we may witness a politically elected government next year. I don’t know what happens in future,” he said on Saturday.
Speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural session of the Annual BIDS Conference on Development (ABCD), organized by the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) in a hotel in Dhaka, he also highlighted significant political progress amidst the country’s complex economic challenges.
Soon after the formation of the interim government through a mass upsurge that toppled the Sheikh Hasina government on August 5, the political parties have started demanding parliamentary election.
The political parties began to press the interim government to unveil the roadmap for election but the government headed by Muhammad Yunus has not yet given any clean timeframe for the election to form the next political government.
Though on several occasions one or two advisers hinted that the election might happen after 18 months. But later the Yunus government did not subscribe such speeches, stating that it was their personal views.
However, under the current strain relations with India, the demand for election has become prominent.
Now Wahiuddin Mahmud gave another hint for the election which may take place next year though it was his personal observation.
In his speech, Dr. Mahmud identified income inequality as one of the nation’s major concerns.
He emphasized that quality education is critical to addressing this issue, but acknowledged that Bangladesh still has a long way to go in this regard.
About economic situation, he said, “People’s money is in the banks, but all the money has moved elsewhere.
That money belongs to the people. Now the banks need resources for this public money.”
He further added that major industrial establishments now show substantial funds on their balance sheets, but, in reality, there are no resources within the country.
“They need to pay wages. You cannot lay off 30,000, 40,000, or 100,000 workers in a single day. It will create significant unrest, which is already visible,” he added.
“So, where will the money come from?” he asked. In this context, he highlighted the need for a more equitable society, focusing on public health, education, human resource development, and building more resources for universities.
Reflecting on Bangladesh’s graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status, he pointed out the challenges of losing certain benefits associated with the status.
“It is no longer feasible to remain classified as an LDC. Discussions are ongoing with developed countries to retain some of the associated benefits, and many countries have responded positively,” he mentioned.
In a separate session, Indermit S. Gill, Chief Economist of the World Bank, discussed how Bangladesh could break free from the middle-income trap.
He emphasized the need to focus on investment and job creation, calling for the development of entrepreneurs and the expansion of technology use in the country.
BIDS Director General Benayak Sen was in the chair on the occasion.
