Who is in discussion about BNP cabinet

After securing an absolute majority in the 13th parliamentary election, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is preparing to form the government under the leadership of Tarique Rahman as Prime Minister. 

Preparations have already begun within the party and in the broader political arena for establishing this new government. 

As part of these efforts, Tarique Rahman has initiated discussions with his close associates and senior party leaders.

According to sources within the BNP, the cabinet will place importance on both the experience of senior leaders and the inclusion of newcomers. 

This approach suggests the formation of a balanced cabinet that combines seasoned expertise with youthful energy.

Before the cabinet is finalised, preparations are underway for the swearing-in process. 

The oath-taking for candidates elected to the 297 seats of the National Assembly is expected to take place on Tuesday, February 17. 

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin will administer the oath to them that morning.

Under the constitution, the process of forming a new government begins with the swearing-in of the newly elected members of parliament. 

The President will then appoint the Prime Minister based on the majority support among parliament members. 

The Prime Minister will assume office after taking the oath, and subsequently begin forming the cabinet under his leadership.

 The victorious party in the election will determine the number of members in the new cabinet.

BNP party sources indicate that particular emphasis is being placed on including young individuals to help implement election promises, accelerate administrative processes, introduce fresh ideas into policymaking, and develop new leadership within the party. 

Discussions on the formation of the council of ministers are currently taking place within the party, with BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman personally overseeing the matter. 

The details are expected to become clear in a day or two, though it remains difficult to predict exactly who will hold which positions at this stage.

BNP Standing Committee member and newly elected MP from Cox's Bazar-1 constituency Salahuddin Ahmed told reporters that the countrymen will have to wait a little while longer to see what kind of cabinet the BNP is going to form.

Several ministers from the BNP's previous government between 2001 and 2006 are under consideration for inclusion in this year's council of ministers. 

BNP party sources have noted that ministries which remained relatively free from controversy during the earlier BNP government will be assigned clean and responsible roles in the new government.

Among those in discussion are BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, who could potentially take on positions such as President or Vice President of the party or related roles. 

Standing Committee member Dr. Abdul Moin Khan and BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas are likely to feature in ministerial positions. 

Salahuddin Ahmed is expected to receive the important Roads and Communications Ministry. 

Additionally, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury may be assigned to the Foreign Affairs or Commerce Ministry. 

BNP Standing Committee member Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain is in talks for the Health Ministry. 

Abdul Awal Mintoo could also secure a ministerial position. 

Furthermore, BNP Standing Committee members Goyeshwar Chandra Roy and Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku are anticipated to be part of the cabinet. 

ANM Ehsanul Haque Milon is being considered for the Education Ministry.

Advocate Fazlur Rahman may be assigned the Liberation War Affairs Ministry. 

BNP Standing Committee member and Election Steering Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan could serve as political adviser to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. 

Technocrats are also expected to find places in the cabinet, including BNP Media Cell Convener Professor Moudud Hossain Alamgir Pavel, BNP Chairman's Adviser Mahdi Amin, and BNP Chairman's Adviser Dr. Ziauddin Haider.

Several new faces are being incorporated into the cabinet to bring in highly educated youth with modern perspectives and to foster new leadership within the party. 

Promising individuals are being positioned accordingly. Among them, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi may be assigned the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting as a technocrat. 

Chairman's Advisory Council member Ismail Zabiullah could take the Ministry of Public Government as a technocrat. 

Joint Secretary General Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie may receive the Ministry of Home Affairs. 

Former Attorney General Advocate Asaduzzaman could be given the Ministry of Law. 

Dhaka Metropolitan North BNP convener Aminul Haque may handle the Ministry of Youth and Sports. 

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman's foreign affairs adviser Humayun Kabir is under consideration for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a technocrat. 

In addition, figures such as Shyama Obaid, former mayor Arifur Rahman Chowdhury, Mia Nuruddin Ahmed Apu, Sultan Salahuddin Tuku, Tanvir Ahmed Robin as a technocrat, Shahidul Islam Babul, Habibur Rashid Habib, and Sayeed Al Noman may also secure positions in the cabinet.

Leaders from the parties that participated in the simultaneous movement against the previous government will also be included in the cabinet. 

A few years ago, the BNP announced its demand for a national government to bring down the Awami League government, and the parties that joined in that joint movement are now being accommodated. 

Party leaders emphasise that those who stood together during the long struggle will have their participation ensured in the government formation process. 

The primary objective of this approach is to rebuild democracy through a participatory and representative structure, establish good governance, and meet the expectations of the people. 

Among those mentioned are Dr. Reza Kibria for the Finance Ministry, Jonayed Saki as State Minister, Bobby Hajjaj who left the NDM to join the BNP, BJP's Barrister Andalib Rahman Partha, Gono Odhikar Parishad's Nurul Haque Nuru, and 12-party alliance head and Jatiya Party (Jafar) chairman Mustafa Jamal Haider, along with Mahmudur Rahman Manna, who are also being considered under the technocrat quota.