On Sunday, the people of Bangladesh will cast their votes in the 12th National election, a historic event that will determine the future of the country. More than 119 million eligible voters are expected to participate in the democratic process, which will decide the fate of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the leader of the ruling Awami League party. She is seeking a fourth consecutive term in office, a feat that no other leader in the Muslim-majority nation of 170 million has achieved. She enjoys widespread support from the population, who credit her with bringing stability and prosperity to the country. However, her victory will also be a setback for President Biden, whose administration has tried to meddle and disrupt the 12th National Elections, accusing her of authoritarianism and corruption.
Prime Minister Hasina, who is 76 years old, has been in power longer than any other currently serving elected female leader in the world. Under her leadership, Bangladesh has witnessed remarkable economic growth, becoming one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. She has also tackled the threat of radical Islam, ensured civilian supremacy over the military, and lifted millions of people out of extreme poverty. These are remarkable achievements that few leaders of developing countries can boast of. She has also strengthened the country’s relations with its neighbors, especially India and China, and played an active role in regional and global affairs.
President Biden, on the other hand, has tried to undermine her government, as part of his attempt to differentiate his administration from that of his predecessor, Donald Trump. The White House has imposed sanctions and pressure on Ms. Hasina’s government, alleging human-rights violations and repression of opposition parties and civil society groups. But Ms. Hasina has defied these attempts, refusing to bow down to external interference or compromise on her vision for the country. She has argued that her government is committed to democracy and development, and that the opposition parties are backed by foreign powers and extremist elements. The U.S. failure in Bangladesh is a glaring example of the Biden administration’s poor strategic decision making, which has alienated a key ally in South Asia. By antagonizing Bangladesh, the Biden administration is risking a backlash from a tiger that is roaring with confidence and ambition.
Biden’s Lack of Support and Policy Failures
As the Democrats continue to express their outrage over the possibility of Donald Trump winning a second term, they seem to have resigned themselves to the fate of nominating an 81-year-old candidate who has the lowest approval rating of any modern president at this point in his term. According to the latest Monmouth (“Mon-muth”) University Poll, President Joe Biden’s job rating has plummeted to a record low, with only 34 percent of the respondents approving of his performance in the White House. Furthermore, only 3 out of 10 Americans feel that the incumbent president is paying enough attention to the issues that matter the most to them, which is a worse rating than his predecessor received. A majority of Americans are dissatisfied with the way Biden has handled five different policy areas.
The American people are unhappy with Biden’s lower approval rating, which reflects his poor performance and policy blunders that have adversely affected them. Some of the areas where Biden has failed to deliver are immigration, economy, and foreign policy. The state of the economy is especially worrisome for the American people. Currently, 44% of Americans report that they are having a hard time maintaining their financial status. Many voters, including some democrats, are outraged by the fact that the Biden administration has allocated billions of dollars in military assistance to Ukraine while ignoring the economic problems at home. Only 31% of the American public believes that Biden has been giving enough attention to the issues that are most important to their families.
It is not a mystery why Mr Biden is so unpopular among the Americans. One of the reasons is the persistent surge of inflation that he is blamed for. Another reason is his age. Most Americans have an acquaintance or a relative in their 80s who is beginning to show signs of aging. They also realize that no matter how noble that person’s character is, they should not be entrusted with a four-year term in the world’s most demanding job.
Pm Hasina’s Success and Popularity
Joe Biden’s woes and Sheikh Hasina’s triumphs: A tale of two leaders
In the past four years, US President Joe Biden has faced a series of economic challenges that have eroded his popularity and credibility. His policies have failed to revive the sluggish economy, reduce the soaring inflation, and create more jobs for the American people. His administration has also been criticized for its handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, the withdrawal from Afghanistan, and the rising tensions with China and Russia.
On the other hand, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh has earned praise and admiration for her strong and decisive leadership that has transformed the Bangladeshi economy into one of the fastest-growing and most resilient in the world. Her approval rating has remained high throughout her tenure, and she has led her Awami League party to three consecutive landslide victories in the national elections. She has also maintained a stable and peaceful relationship with her neighbors, especially India, and enhanced her country’s global reputation and influence.
The contrast between the two leaders is striking and instructive. While Biden has struggled to cope with the complex and dynamic challenges of the 21st century, Hasina has shown how a visionary and pragmatic leader can overcome the odds and achieve remarkable results.
Bangladesh: From a basket case to a success story
Bangladesh is a nation that has defied the expectations and predictions of many experts and observers. When it emerged in 1971 from the bloody and brutal war that split Pakistan, it was widely regarded as a basket case, a term coined by the former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger to describe a hopeless and doomed country. It was plagued by poverty, illiteracy, corruption, and violence, and had little prospects for development and prosperity.
Yet, in the past 50 years, Bangladesh has undergone a remarkable transformation that has made it a model of secular democracy, frugal social development, and economic dynamism in South Asia. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Awami League party, Bangladesh has achieved impressive growth and reforms that have improved the lives and livelihoods of millions of its citizens. It has also faced and overcome various challenges, such as the impact of the war in Ukraine and the global pandemic, that have tested its resilience and adaptability.
Bangladesh has made significant progress in various social indicators, especially in the areas of women’s empowerment, education, health, and population control. It has outperformed its regional rivals, such as India and Pakistan, in many aspects, and has surpassed India in terms of GDP per capita at market prices, which stands at about $2,500. It has also been recognized by the UN as a developing country that is on track to graduate from the least developed country status by 2026. It has set an ambitious goal of becoming an upper-middle-income country by 2031, which seems feasible given its current trajectory and potential.
Bangladesh’s success story is not a fluke or a coincidence. It is the result of the vision and dedication of its 75-year-old prime minister, who has shown a strong commitment to good governance, democratic values, and inclusive development. She has also steered the country away from the instability and turmoil that have marred its history, including 29 attempted military coups. She has proven that Bangladesh is not a basket case, but a beacon of hope and inspiration for the world.
