Staff Reporter :
The electoral system in Bangladesh has become a victim of “elite capture,” driven by the lucrative benefits of engaging in politics and serving as Members of Parliament (MPs), according to Professor Rehman Sobhan, chairman of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD).
Addressing the Annual Baltic Conference on Defence (ABCD) in the capital on Saturday, Prof Sobhan highlighted the pervasive influence of crony capitalism in the country.
The conference was organised by the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS).
“Crony capitalism has become a global issue, deeply entrenched in Bangladesh’s political system.
This extends beyond parliament, reaching the upazila and union levels, where political elites now operate as ‘rural zamindars’,” he remarked.
In his lecture titled “Agenda for Economic and Social Reform,” Prof Sobhan outlined key structural challenges impeding the nation’s progress.
He noted that power is increasingly centralised in the Prime Minister’s Office, while political parties function under undemocratic systems, with authority concentrated among a few leaders.
“This structural problem within the political framework has also permeated the administrative system,” he added.
Prof Sobhan underscored the need for economic diversification, cautioning against an overreliance on the garment industry for exports.
He advocated for state-driven growth in sectors where market forces alone are insufficient, such as construction and ceramics.
However, he expressed concern that structural challenges currently limit the government’s capacity to play an effective role in fostering such growth.
