BNP fast-tracks cabinet plans after resounding victory

Riding on a landslide victory in the national election, BNP has initiated preparations to form the new cabinet, setting the stage for the party’s return to power after more than 19 years out of government.

Talking to UNB, several party leaders close to its Chairman Tarique Rahman said the upcoming cabinet is initially expected to be a 'small but effective' team, combining experienced leaders and youths.

Ministers will be chosen based on three main criteria – integrity, administrative ability and their contributions to the party’s movements.

They said Tarique Rahman, who is set to take oath as Prime Minister for the first time, is personally overseeing the selection process.

A BNP leader said the Cabinet Secretary on Friday phoned BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir to discuss arrangements for the oath-taking of the MP-elects, which may be held either on Sunday or Monday.

Personal secretary to BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman ABM Abdus Sattar has been assigned to coordinate with the government and the Cabinet Secretary regarding the swearing-in of MPs and ministers.

After the MP-elects take oath, the BNP parliamentary party will elect Tarique as Leader of the House and complete other necessary formalities.

The issue of cabinet formation will come to the fore after the MPs are sworn in.

According to unofficial results, the BNP-led alliance won 213 out of 299 seats, while the alliance led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami secured 76 seats and will serve as the opposition.

Party sources said the cabinet will be structured to ensure efficiency and accountability. Discussions are going on to assign important ministries to senior party leaders.

In line with the BNP’s commitments, parties that took part in past movements and struggles will also be involved in running the government.

Among the alliance leaders who won the election, some will be given places in the cabinet.

There is also a possibility that several members from both the party and the alliance will be included under the technocrat quota to ensure representation of the partner parties.

Among the key names under discussions, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is expected to receive an important ministry, though there is also discussion about him taking on the presidency.

Standing Committee members Dr Khondkar Mosharraf Hossain and Nazrul Islam Khan are also being considered for the presidency. If he is not considered for the presidency, Nazrul Islam Khan, who did not contest the election, may be appointed as a technocrat minister.

There is also discussion that one of the members from the Standing Committee may be appointed Speaker of Parliament.

Other Standing Committee members likely to receive key ministries include Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Uddin Ahmed, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku and AZM Zahid Hossain.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, who did not contest the elections, may be appointed as a technocrat minister in the Ministry of Information or another important ministry.

Alliance leaders under consideration for cabinet posts include Andaleeb Rahman Partha, Zunaid Saki and Nurul Haque Nur.

Newly joined BNP leaders who won under the ‘Dhanner Shish’ symbol, including Bobby Hajjaj and Dr Reza Kibria, are also being considered.

Among elected BNP leaders likely to be included in the cabinet are Abdul Awal Mintu, Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaykobad, Advocate Zainal Abedin, Md Fazlur Rahman, Asadul Habib Dulu, Zahid Uddin Swapan, Khondkar Abdul Mukhtadir, Tahsina Rushdi Luna, Afroza Khanum Rita, Khairul Kabir Khokon, Shahiduddin Chowdhury Annie, Md Shariful Alam, Rashiduzzaman Millat, Barrister Kaiser Kamal, Abdul Wadud Bhuiya, Dipen Dewan, Shama Obaed, Shahidul Islam Babul, Mia Nuruddin Apu, Rokibul Islam Bakul, Sultan Salauddin Tuku, Khaled Hossain Mahbub Shyamol, former Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman, Anindya Islam Amit, Mir Helal, SM Jahangir and Eline Bhutto.

Other possible technocrat appointments include Joint Secretary Generals Habib Un Nabi Khan Sohel, Humayun Kabir and Dhaka North Convener Aminul Haq.

Party sources said BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman does not want to include any controversial figures in the cabinet.

They said ministerial appointments will be decided after reviewing everyone’s past records, and some new faces outside the usual leadership may also be given posts.

According to party sources, the new government will announce a 100-day plan immediately after taking office.

Law and order will be the top priority, alongside tackling corruption and reviving the economy.

The party’s election manifesto promised economic reforms, controlling inflation, creating jobs, improving education and healthcare, and adopting a zero-tolerance approach to corruption.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the government will work to fulfill people’s expectations following their mandate.

“The biggest challenges for the next government will be getting the economy moving, maintaining law and order, curbing corruption and ensuring justice,” he said.

Fakhrul said BNP, having won a majority of seats in the 13th parliamentary election, will form the next government under the leadership of party Chairman Tarique Rahman.

Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said the BNP government aims to build a merit- and technology-based state, reform the Constitution in line with the party’s election manifesto and the ‘31-point plan’, and uphold political agreements such as the July National Charter.

He also said this parliament is expected to be the most legislatively active since independence.

Salahuddin also said the new government’s three main priorities will be establishing the rule of law, achieving economic prosperity and eradicating corruption.