Nepal, April 25 -- For much of the past 15 years, Bangladesh's politics orbited a single centre of gravity. Under Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League, the country preserved the shell of electoral democracy-regular polls, a sitting parliament, functioning ministries-while power steadily accumulated in the executive. Opposition parties were constrained, dissent managed through legal and administrative pressure, and institutions meant to be independent grew increasingly obedient.

That order collapsed in August 2024 after months of protests driven by economic stress and political fatigue. A mass uprising culminated in crowds storming the prime minister's residence, forcing Ms Hasina to flee by helicopter to India, where she remains in exile....