With only a few days left for the much-anticipated general elections and referendum in Bangladesh on February 12, political tensions have reached a boiling point. Nearly 18 months after the ouster of former PM Sheikh Hasina, the country is set to vote. However, the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus is facing fierce criticism for approving a flurry of expensive projects and international contracts in its final days.

The Rush for Mega Projects: Conventionally, an interim government limits itself to routine administrative tasks once the code of conduct is in place. Yet, between December 1 and January 25, Dhaka approved 64 projects worth 1.06 lakh crore BDT, with 40 of them being entirely new. Over its 1.5-year tenure, the government has initiated 135 new projects with a total estimated cost of over 2.03 lakh crore BDT.

Global Defense and Aviation Deals: According to reports by ‘Kaler Kantho’, Dhaka has finalized major deals with the US, UK, and China for warships and 14 Boeing aircraft. Many experts question the ethicality of a non-elected government committing the nation to such massive long-term financial liabilities, which are usually the prerogative of an elected parliament.

A ‘Trial by Fire’ for the New Govt: The incoming elected government will inherit a staggering financial burden. Beyond these projects, the implementation of the 9th Pay Commission—expected to cost over 1 lakh crore BDT—coupled with rising inflation and massive domestic/foreign debt, will pose a monumental challenge. Observers fear that the “liabilities” left behind by the interim government will push the newly elected leadership into an immediate crisis.