During Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's 15-year rule, Bangladesh was transformed, with new roads, bridges, factories and even a subway in the capital, Dhaka.
Per capita income has tripled over the past decade, and the World Bank estimates that more than 25 million people have been lifted out of poverty over the past two decades.
But many say some of that growth will benefit only those close to Ms Hasina's Awami League.
Dr. Rootpa says: “We are seeing so much corruption, especially among those close to the ruling party. Corruption has been going on for so long with impunity.”
In recent months, social media in Bangladesh has been abuzz with discussions about corruption allegations against some of Hasina’s former top officials, including a former army chief, a former police chief, a senior tax official and a national recruiter.
Ms Hasina said last week that action was being taken against corruption, saying the problem had been going on for a long time.
At the same press conference in Dhaka, she said action had been taken against an assistant or servant in her household who was accused of embezzling $34 million.
“He can't move without a helicopter. How did he make so much money? When I found out, I took action right away.”
She did not reveal the person's identity.
The response from the Bangladeshi media was that so much money could only have been amassed through lobbying for government contracts, corruption and bribery.
Bangladesh's anti-corruption commission has launched an investigation into former police chief Benazir Ahmed, once seen as a close ally of Ms Hasina, for allegedly amassing millions of dollars through illegal means. He denies the allegations.
This news is also widely known to ordinary citizens who are struggling due to the rapidly rising cost of living.
Many human rights activists point out that, in addition to allegations of corruption, the space for democratic activity has shrunk over the past 15 years.
“For three consecutive elections, there has been no credible, free and fair voting process,” Meenakshi Ganguly, South Asia director at Human Rights Watch, told the BBC.
“(Ms Hasina) may have underestimated how frustrated the people are that they are being denied the most basic democratic right to choose their own leader,” Ganguly said.
