With the BNP-led alliance securing 212 seats in the 13th National Parliament election, attention has now turned to the formation of the new cabinet. After nearly two decades, BNP is set to form the government, and discussions are intensifying over who will be included in the council of ministers.
Party leaders said the process will formally begin once the newly elected members of parliament are sworn in. They expressed hope that the oath-taking ceremony will take place soon, followed by the announcement of the new cabinet.
According to party sources, the new BNP cabinet will be a mix of young and old. They will get a place in the cabinet based on their past sacrifices and qualifications for the party. Those who were not nominated by the party will be evaluated in the new cabinet. Only those who are subject-based experts will get a place in the cabinet this time.
Regarding the new cabinet, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said, “The democratic journey that started in the country through this election will continue, in sha Allah. Democratic reforms of all state structures and the desired democratic reforms of the constitution will be made - this was our goal.”
He said, “We have formulated our manifesto long ago. In the meantime, the July National Charter has been signed, through which a political agreement has been reached. We will follow the document of this political agreement to the letter.”
Salahuddin also said, “We hope that the Election Commission will officially announce the results through a gazette notification by this afternoon (yesterday, Friday) and the countdown will begin from then on. The matter of taking oath as a member of parliament will be constitutional.”
Tarique Rahman has contested and won the election in two parliamentary constituencies this time. Under his leadership, BNP is going to form the government by winning more than one-third of the seats by participating in the election this time. If Tarique takes oath as the Prime Minister, he will become the 11th Prime Minister of the country.
There is strong discussion about BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir taking on important responsibilities of the state in the new government. In addition, BNP Standing Committee members Dr. Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Dr. Abdul Moeen Khan, Salahuddin Ahmed, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain will be in the new cabinet.
Apart from this, BNP leader Abdul Awal Mintoo, Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) Altaf Hossain Chowdhury, Zahiruddin Swapan, Reza Kibria, Ehsanul Haque Milon, Rashiduzzaman Millat, Shariful Alam, Dewan Salahuddin, Habibur Rashid Habib, Selim Bhuiyan, former Attorney General Asaduzzaman Asad, Barrister Kaiser Kamal, MP elected from Kishoreganj-4 constituency Fazlur Rahman, MP elected from Brahmanbaria-4 constituency Mushfiqur Rahman, BNP Joint Secretary General Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie, Abul Khair Bhuiyan, Shama Obaid, Farzana Sharmin Putul, Dr. Rafiqul Islam Bachchu, Asadul Habib Dulu, Ruhul Quddus Talukder Dulu, Rakibul Islam Bakul are in the discussion.
Apart from this, BNP candidate elected from Sirajganj-6 constituency Professor Dr. MA Muhith, BNP candidate elected from Khagrachhari Abdul Wadud Bhuiyan, one of the two elected from Rangamati and Bandarban constituencies are in discussion.
BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan, Begum Selima Rahman, BNP Chairman's Advisor Ismail Zabiullah, BNP Media Cell Convener Dr. Moudud Hossain Alamgir Pavel, Humayun Kabir, Zia Haider and some others are in discussion as technocrat ministers.
Meanwhile, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Joint Secretary General Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel are also in discussion.
Among the BNP alliance partners in the cabinet, Andalib Rahman Partha, Jonayed Saki, Nurul Haque Nur, Bobby Hajjaj and some others are in discussion.
Tarique Rahman's daughter, Barrister Zaima Rahman, is in discussion to take on a major responsibility in assisting the Prime Minister. Apart from this, BNP Chairman's advisor Mahdi Amin is also in the discussion that he may get a similar responsibility.
Bd-pratidin English/TR
