Despair and confusion rule Bangladesh politics

By Anis Ahmed

DHAKA (Reuters) - Bangladesh is at a political crossroads, analysts say, with the country uncertain whether it needs to follow a path of continued reform or revert back to the status quo that has existed for much of the country's history.

The debate comes at a time of uncertainty over the south Asian country's political future, although preparations for an election later this year are underway despite threats by major parties to boycott it unless their leaders are freed from prison.

"Politics has hit a phase of infertility," said analyst, Abul Kashem Fazlul Haque.

An interim government was supposed to organise elections early last year, but cancelled them in the wake of widespread political violence and declared a state of emergency.

Vowing to finally eradicate corruption and to clean up the political scene, the army-backed interim government arrested the leaders of the Awami League and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), and scores of others, and they are in jail facing graft trials.

But despite initially being pleased with the clean-up, many Bangladeshis are now questioning the interim government's commitment to democracy.

"We are hoping against hope," said Ataur Rahman, president of Bangladesh Political Science Association.

"But despite growing despair and doubts over the performances of the interim government ... it would be unfair and risky to submit to hopelessness."