Abstract
<title>Abstract</title> <p>The practice of party-based governance to involve regime party activists through political patronage exists as a long-established method which southern countries particularly Bangladesh have used throughout their history. The country experienced its first government disruption after independence when political leaders established partnerships with criminals to create armed groups which fought against state control. The regime leaders permitted their followers to possess weapons for protection purposes. The government implemented partisan elections for local government organizations in 2016 which created excitement among rural party members. Political violence which started in cities now reached rural areas because ruling party leaders and rebel candidates won local government elections. The victory enabled them to control state resources through factional politics which created divisions among their opponents and between members of their own party. They established their political power through local government offices by distributing state resources and following party governance procedures which they developed.</p>