Political circles are abuzz with speculation that a new face from the greater Faridpur region may join the cabinet.
The name of Anisur Rahman Talukdar Khokon, newly elected MP from Madaripur-3 (Kalikini-Dasar and part of Sadar), is being discussed as a potential minister or state minister.
Khokon secured his first parliamentary victory by defeating Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Rafiqul Islam by a wide margin in a constituency long considered an Awami League stronghold. He had previously contested the same seat in 2018 as a BNP nominee.
According to party sources, Khokon Talukdar currently serves as Joint Secretary (Information and Research) of the BNP Central Committee. Rising through student politics, he previously held key positions in the BNP’s student wing, including organising secretary of the central committee and general secretary of the Jagannath University student body.
During Awami League rule, he faced over a hundred cases and served multiple prison terms. At one point, he went missing for a prolonged period, allegedly a victim of enforced disappearance, yet remained active in street-level movements and political activism. He has been instrumental in organising the party in strongholds of rival influence, building a robust grassroots structure across Madaripur.
Khokon gained attention by forming committees in every ward, implementing BNP’s centrally announced programmes in each union, and leading high-profile demonstrations, which also earned him a place on the Awami League government’s “most wanted” list at the time.
Party sources said Khokon is among the trusted leaders of the BNP high command. His name has surfaced in preliminary discussions about cabinet appointments, and if selected, he could serve as a full minister or state minister, sources added.
bd-pratidin/GR
