Politics of Local Development Projects in Bangladesh:

A Qualitative Analysis of Upazila Parishads

Abstract

The concept of Upazila Parishad came to light during the Ershad Regime, and since then, through confronting several ups and downs, over the last few decades, upazila has become the nerve of the local level development affairs once again by the "Local Government (UZP) Act - 2009" and "Local Government (UZP) (Amendment) Act – 2011". It is the center of local development affairs in all possible aspects. Politicians and administrators play a crucial role in spreading the development proceedings at the grassroots level. This study explores the politics of local development project operations, focusing on the Annual Development Programme at two Upazilas through a qualitative study using purposive sampling, in-depth interviews, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions. Findings reveal that conflics of interest, exclusionary practice, and informal political settlements significantly undermine transparent and participatory project selection. The local elites frequently capture subcontracts and contracts with limited accountability, while administrative support has the tendency to extend partisan influences unintentionally, contributing to compromised quality and efficacy of the projects. The study recommends reassessment of MPs' advisory roles, the strengthening of the monitoring role of administrative players such as the UNO, broader participation of stakeholders, and improvement in monitoring mechanisms even further. By bringing to the fore such issues of governance, the research offers practical suggestions for making local development in Bangladesh more transparent, inclusive, and effective.