These 100-day politics are also important in the context of Bangladesh. Because in the midst of long political instability, administrative partisanship, corruption, and economic pressure, people generally expect quick visible changes from the new government. At the beginning of the Tarique Rahman-led government, it was assumed that the main priorities of the BNP government in the first 100 days would be the restoration of law and order, price control, combating corruption, administrative reform and establishing political tolerance. Various analyses have mentioned that the government had envisaged a “180-day priority plan” in which energy security, economic stability and democratic reforms were given importance.
It was also said that the most important task may be to “restore public trust in the state apparatus.” Because in the political reality of Bangladesh after 2024, the people’s big expectation is that the administration and law enforcement agencies should work free from party influence. However, along with this expectation, many have expressed doubts on social media and in civic discussions, saying that a change in political culture is more important than a change in leadership. Some expressed hope in online discussions that a new style of politics would come, while many are expressing doubts due to past experiences.
In this context, the first 100 days of Begum Khaleda Zia’s government can be recalled. After coming to power in 2001, the BNP-led four-party coalition government announced a 25-point program for the first 100 days. These included recovering illegal weapons, suppressing terrorism, reviewing political cases, restoring order in educational institutions, publishing a white paper on irregularities and corruption, and re-evaluating administrative decisions. At that time, about half of the people thought that the law and order situation had improved. But over time, allegations of militancy, political violence, administrative weakness and corruption were also raised against that government. As a result, the lesson of history is that the positive message of the first 100 days is not enough; it is also important to maintain it consistently.
This is where the potential challenge for the Tarique Rahman government is the biggest. Because the people of today’s Bangladesh are more aware than ever before, social media is more active, and the younger generation wants to see results quickly. Therefore, the people will judge the first 100 days of the government not only on political speeches, but also on real issues such as market stability, employment, citizen security and administrative accountability.
Political analysts around the world generally say that the first 100 days are not the measure of the entire success of a government, but it is the most important initial test of the government’s character, priorities and political courage. That is also true in the case of Bangladesh. If the new government can give a message of trust, stability and justice from the very beginning, then the first 100 days can become the foundation for the long political journey ahead.
Below is a list of the 100 works and initiatives discussed. Here, government decisions, political messages, administrative changes, economic initiatives and social reactions have been taken into account together.
100 tasks discussed in 100 days of Tarique Rahman government
State and administrative reforms
1. Announcement of 180-day priority program.
2. Declaration of “rule of law” as the main policy of the government.
3. Ministry-based performance evaluation begins in the secretariat.
4. Instructions to reduce party influence in the administration.
5. Reconsideration of the list of political cases begins.
6. Initiative to restructure the Anti-Corruption Commission.
7. Plan to make e-tender mandatory in government procurement.
8. Transfers and reorganization in field administration.
9. Direct virtual coordination meeting with district administrators and later conference.
10. Instructions to reduce misuse of government vehicles.
Law and order and security
1. Special operation to suppress terrorism and extortion.
2. Increased night patrols in metropolitan areas.
3. Start of police station-based “public hearing” activities.
4. Special task force to suppress juvenile gangs.
5. Strengthening anti-smuggling operations at the border.
6. Campaign to recover illegal weapons.
7. Reorganization of anti-drug campaign.
8. Promise to reduce police harassment.
9. Expansion of the cyber unit to curb online fraud.
10. Initiative to digitise prison management.
Commodity prices and economy
1. special monitoring cell to control commodity prices during Ramadan is effective and benefits are being gained.
2. Expansion of TCB activities.
3. Initiative to reduce duty on rice and edible oil.
4. Increase in mobile courts for market monitoring.
5. Direct marketing system for agricultural products launched.
6. Easy loan program for small entrepreneurs.
7. Initiative to restructure defaulted loans in the banking sector.
8. Steps to stabilize foreign exchange reserves.
9. Continue to provide incentives for remittances.
10. New policies are prepared to attract investment.
Energy and power
1. Instructions to ensure power supply during summer and irrigation seasons.
2. Emergency plan to reduce load shedding.
3. New discussion on LNG import.
4. Call for investment in renewable energy.
5. Discussion on expansion of Eastern Refinery.
6. Restructuring of subsidies in the power sector.
7. Increase in approval of solar projects.
8. Uninterrupted power plan in industrial areas.
9. Renovation of rural power lines.
10. Plan to reduce expenditure on energy imports.
Health sector
1. Announcement of “e-Health Card” project.
2. Experimental digital healthcare plan in five districts.
3. Increase in drug supply in upazila hospitals.
4. Emergency vaccination program to deal with measles situation.
5. Initiative to resolve doctor crisis in medical colleges.
6. Online ticketing plan in government hospitals.
7. Corruption investigation committee in the health sector.
8. Special allocation for maternal health services.
9. Expansion of child nutrition program.
10. Discussion on launching mental health helpline.
Agriculture and rural development
1. Start of Krishak Card program activities.
2. Special allocation to increase irrigation facilities.
3. Start of canal excavation and re-excavation activities.
4. Strengthen fertilizer supply monitoring.
5. Facilitation of agricultural loans.
6. Initiatives to ensure fair price of agricultural products.
7. Subsidies for agricultural mechanization.
8. Seed distribution program.
9. Start of rural road renovation.
10. Incentives for fisheries and livestock sectors.
Education and youth
1. Plan to reduce session congestion in educational institutions.
2. Initiatives to control violence in student politics in universities.
3. Approval of new courses in technical education.
4. Formation of young entrepreneur fund.
5. Training program for unemployed youth.
6. Expansion of digital classrooms in schools.
7. Discussion on increasing merit scholarships.
8. Strengthen transparency in job recruitment tests.
9. Facilitate online applications for government jobs.
10. Increase skill training for expatriate workers.
Social security and public welfare
1. Family card program.
2. Discussion on increasing old-age allowance.
3. Expansion of widow and disabled allowance.
4. Food assistance to low-income people.
5. Strengthening the workers’ welfare fund.
6. Meeting on wages and security of garment workers.
7. Healthcare initiatives in urban slums.
8. Activation of anti-violence cells for women.
9. Strengthening child protection hotlines.
10. Re-evaluating housing plans for the homeless.
Political and diplomatic messages
1. Series of meetings with foreign diplomats.
2. Message to international partners on restoring democracy.
3. New discussions on India-Bangladesh relations.
4. Call for investment from China and the Middle East.
5. Trade talks with the United States.
6. Use of the word “balance” in foreign policy.
7. Virtual exchange of views with expatriate Bangladeshis.
8. Highlighting new diplomatic priorities at the United Nations.
9. Seeking international assistance in the Rohingya crisis.
10. Message to strengthen South Asian regional cooperation.
Symbolic and politically discussed issues
1. Initiative by the Prime Minister to reduce protocol.
2. Organizing low-key government events.
3. Increasing the Prime Minister’s activity on social media.
4. Attempts to popularize the “New Bangladesh” slogan.
5. Speech on the spirit of the July coup.
6. Message against political revenge.
7. Comparative tolerance towards opposition views.
8. Increasing the responsibility of young officials in the administration.
9. Comparative openness in disclosing government information.
10. Explaining the government’s position on the “reform vs. revenge” debate.
There has been some “relaxation” in the administration and at least discussions of reforms have begun. In particular, price controls, reduction of administrative protocols and public welfare messages have received positive responses. Above all disputes and disagreements, it is time for everyone to cooperqte the govt to move forward the country.
