Moreover, it is also a matter of great satisfaction that the present interim government is trying to implement key public sector reforms, such as separation of the judiciary etc, which are likely to have a positive impact on our weak democracy.

Yet, some recent political decisions by our interim government have raised eyebrows and need to be analysed with caution since their decisions can potentially have an adverse affect on our democracy. More specifically, the recent plan(though unsuccessful) to implement the so called "Minus-Two" solution to Bangladeshi politics is of grave concern. This is because it is very important for us to understand what are all the possible consequences of sending the two most powerful women of Bangladeshi politics (Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina) to exile. The political pundits who support this so called "Minus-Two" solution argue that without sending Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina to exile, no intra party political reform will be possible. Furthermore, they also argue that if these two leaders stay in Bangladesh, then no alternative leadership will rise since no one has the (political) organisational capacity to challenge the two heavy weights of Bangladeshi politics.

However, what these pundits are failing to see is that it is not clear that the political vacuum, which will be created if the "Minus-Two" decision is implemented, will promote a better democratic government with honest leadership. This is because, political scientists have argued that if a nation suffers from a political vacuum, then the possibility of an autocratic regime taking over is higher since a democratic force will suffer from an acute collective-action problem.

In arguing against the "Minus-Two" solution, however, I am not stating that political reforms are not necessary.

If the interim government plans to bring our former prime ministers to justice, then that should take place on our soil.