Bangladesh politics focused on 2 moms, and 2 sons

The future of Bangladesh depends on two men who don't live there, both heirs apparent to the South Asian nation's most powerful political dynasties.
One is a technology consultant who lives in the US with his American wife and young daughter. The other is reportedly studying for a law degree in London, living in self-imposed exile because he faces corruption charges at home.
The consultant has been traveling the small towns of Bangladesh in recent weeks, stumping for his mother's re-election. The law student is meeting with powerful political aides in Saudi Arabia, helping plan his family's return to power.

But give them a few years, and political observers here say either could become prime minister of Bangladesh, which has been ruled by their two families since the country's 1971 independence from Pakistan.
Sajeeb Wazed Joy, 42, the son of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and Tarique Rahman, the 46-year-old son of opposition leader Khaleda Zia, have emerged as the country's most powerful political heirs.
"Their influence is huge," said Hassan Shahriar, a political analyst in Bangladesh. "It's almost impossible to rise to the top coming from outside these families in the current context."

With national parliamentary elections due by early next year, Joy and Rahman are key figures in early campaigning for their mothers, and are earning serious publicity for themselves.

By all indications, the men are headed for powerful roles in the country's two major political parties -- Hasina's Bangladesh Awami League and Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party.
The seeming inevitability of the sons' rise rankles some in Bangladesh, who see it as fundamentally undemocratic.
"This is not a kingdom, why would they come after their mothers?" asks college student Mazharul Islam. "Are there no other people with brains and guts to rule us? This is ridiculous."
But political dynasties are a fact of life in South Asia.
Families of independence leaders, first presidents or descendants of longtime leaders often have immense influence in politics. In Bangladesh, Hasina and Zia have headed their parties for decades without any open challenges.

"Look at India, Sri Lanka or Pakistan," Shahriar said. "Bangladesh is no different. Cronies surround these families, back them and strengthen their hands to get slices of power.