The welcoming reactions from the mainstream opposition parties to the recently announced visa policy by the United States for Bangladesh was predictable, as they have been relentlessly complaining about the systematic destruction of a credible electoral institution. But the often confused reactions from the government and the ruling party seem surreal, as if this foreign intervention in favour of a free and fair election in the country is a blessing for them, too. The official reaction given by the foreign ministry was so welcoming that Matthew Miller, spokesperson of the US Department of State, said, “We were heartened by the announcement from the government yesterday (May 24) that welcomed the steps that we took.” The foreign ministry statement, perhaps, was symptomatic of the consistently inconsistent statements made by the minister-in-charge. We have heard countless times from Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen that his government does not want any country to get involved in Banglades...