System has made Sheikh Hasina a dictator: Bangladesh Bank Governor

Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur said that Sheikh Hasina came into politics as a people's leader, the system has made her a dictator.

He said: "Sheikh Hasina came into politics as a people's leader, she was not born to be a dictator. But when society loses morality, when the administration moves away from its position, when intellectuals remain silent for party interests and when voters ignore the candidate's qualifications and vote only for the symbol - then we put a leader in such a position; where power becomes uncontrolled. That is why the system has made her a dictator and we are the creators of that system."

He made the remarks at the last session of the annual conference of the government research organization Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) at the Parjatan Bhaban in Agargaon in the capital on Monday (December 8). The concluding session titled 'Democracy and Development' was moderated by BIDS Director General Dr. Enamul Haque.

BB governor further said: "The political crisis and democratic failure we are facing is not the responsibility of any leader or government alone; rather, various sections of society - voters, intellectuals, businessmen, administration; all have lost their moral standing. We have considered the day of voting to be democracy, whereas democracy is about ensuring daily accountability, questioning power, maintaining morality and regularly evaluating leadership."

"Even if there is a qualified candidate, the people do not vote for him due to blind support for the symbol. As a result, those who could bring democratic balance to the state are lost. As a result of this culture, power gradually becomes monopolized and the privileged group around the leader pushes him to the center of such a structure; where accountability disappears," he added.

He further said: "People still vote not based on the candidate's qualifications; but rather on the party and brand. As a result, competent leadership cannot come forward and as a result, autocratic tendencies are born within the state apparatus."

The governor said: "Democracy and development go hand in hand; it is impossible to advance the other by keeping one weak."

Professor Rehman Sobhan, a prominent Bangladeshi economist, said: "Sustainable economic prosperity is not possible without a strong democracy; therefore, expecting economic development by keeping democracy weak is misleading."