Dhaka, April 27 -- Democratic culture, practised in Bangladesh since inception, has been marked by marginaisation of opposition. Towards the end of the autocratic rule that ended in a violent overthrow in July movement in 2025, the main opposition was completely throttled, its leaders either behind bars or on the run to avoid arrests.

The tradition of autocratic rule was established at the birth of Bangladesh when instead of a national government one party took the helms of state power. The defeat of the few opposition parties' candidates at the first general election in1973 strengthened autocratic rule in the country. The last nail on the coffin of multi- party democracy was struck when one party rule was introduced through BAKSAL. Succ...