Local Leaders

Q. Who are the local leaders?

Local power structure and party politics are very important in terms of power exercise for local leaders. Both are closely linked and also have a reciprocal relationship. Local power structure means a process whereby the leaders, who have land, money, and well off conditions, make a platform for their privilege in rural area. They, however, exploit the rural poor and working class as well. On the other hand, they represent themselves as leader of social organizations. Also dominate Samaj, Para/Mahallah, community and other social organizations. But, politicians mostly lead the party politics. The local leaders should have the following characteristics-

• He/she must be a citizen of Bangladesh
  
• He/she must be over twenty five years
  
• His /her name must appear on the electoral roll for any ward in the concerned Pauroshava.
  

The Pauroshava chairman, ward commissioner, Upzilla chairman, women ward commissioner etc are the local leaders. Traditionally the local leaders follow the central leaders. In Bangladesh local politics were influential rather than national.