The culture of political Puja (Deity worship) in Bangladesh, dynastic leadership and rise in authoritarianism

Puja (worship) has remained ingrained in Bengali psyche and this is more evident in Bangladeshi politics where important dynastic politicians are elevated to the status of deities. The two main Bangladeshi political parties are cast in autocratic mould with little internal democracy within the workings of the parties. The two leaders of these parties claimed office based solely on patrimonial and matrimonial relationship. Irrespective of political records of these dynastic politicians, political party cadres offer unalloyed loyalty, and large followings of votersturn up to vote for these political deities. Recent trends suggest that current ruling party under Sheikh Hasina has gravitated steadily towards authoritarian. While dynastic politics continue to prevailin South Asia and in other parts of world, Bangladeshi dynastic leaders enjoy a greater clout and durability. The puja culture will only augment autocratic trends with parties formally accepting the tenets of multiparty democracy, but maintaining their claims to power through autocratic elections.