Never before like in 2013 had our political forces imposed so much despair over the general public. The year was riddled with shutdowns, hartals, blockades, showdowns and violent agitations.

On October 26, 2013 the Prime Minister had a 37 minute long phone conversation with the leader of the opposition Khaleda Zia. But, instead of a cheerful outcome, it only made options for a future dialogue even more impossible.

In a frantic attempt the UN had sent Oscar Fernadez Taranco, Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, to Dhaka. Even during his third visit Taranco failed to get a common ground for the two political parties. He got even more puzzled.

2013 saw the JP Chief Hussain Muhammad Ershad's switching of political preferences. Ershad the contortionist had yet again displayed his unpredictable political nature, by first deciding to participate and then by withdrawing his party from the 10th JS polls.

A notable political event of 2013 was the rise of the fundamentalist political force Hefazat-e-Islam with their 13 point demand and destruction of public properties in the name of showdowns and gatherings. Photo: Anisur Rahman

Shahbag uprising turned out to be not only the event of the masses but a voice that helped justice previal in the trials of the war criminals. Photo: Star