Bangladesh has turned a page in its political history and a new phase of political governments is about to start. This may therefore be a good time to think about the future socio-economic tasks.
Proportional representation sounds fair, but can lead to fragmentation and fracture of the polity. In the Bangladeshi context, it may deliver instability we don't need.
If we are serious about democracy, the path of confrontation must be abandoned. Someone must blink -- not to lose face, but to lead. It is time to reimagine strength not as stubbornness, but as the courage to compromise.
An Upper House based on proportional representation would be the single most valuable reform that all sides could agree to that could truly make a difference to the Bangladeshi body politic. The BNP should take that deal.
Everything you wanted to know about a proportional representation-based upper house and were afraid to ask
