Riding on a landslide victory in the 13th National Election, BNP has begun preparations to form the new cabinet, marking the party’s return to power after more than 19 years. With 212 seats already secured in the 300-seat parliament, BNP now holds a comfortable single-party majority, well above the 151 needed to form a government.
Party insiders confirmed that discussions are ongoing over leadership positions and ministerial appointments. Responsible sources in the interim government indicated that the new cabinet could be formed by February 16.
According to the party’s announcement, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman will assume the role of the next Prime Minister. Party leaders had made it clear before the election that the government would be formed under his leadership, eliminating any uncertainty about the top post.
BNP sources revealed that the cabinet will aim for a balance between experienced politicians and young leaders. In addition to elected MPs, there are plans to include unelected experts and alliance partners under the technocrat quota. Discussions are ongoing at the top levels of the party to finalize the list of ministers.
Most members of the BNP Standing Committee are expected to receive cabinet positions. Names being considered include: Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Dr. Abdul Moin Khan, Salauddin Ahmed, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain, and Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed.
Several leaders are being discussed for inclusion under the technocrat quota, including: Nazrul Islam Khan, Begum Selima Rahman, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Humayun Kabir, and Mahdi Amin.
Additional names under consideration include Khandaker Moktadir, Md. Asaduzzaman, Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie, Reza Kibria, M Rashiduzzaman Millat, Asadul Habib Dulu, Afroza Khanam Rita, Barrister Kaiser Kamal, Abdul Awal Mintu, Zainul Abdin Faruk, Mizanur Rahman Minu, Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, Joynal Abedin, Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad, ANM Ehsanul Haque Milan, Zahir Uddin Swapan, Ali Azgar Lobi, Sultan Salahuddin Tuku, Rakibul Islam Bakul, Shariful Alam, Anindya Islam Amit, Khaled Hossain Mahbub Shyamal, Nazrul Islam Azad, GK Gaus, Nowshad Zamir, Sheikh Farid Ahmed Manik, Zakaria Taher Suman, Abdus Salam Azad, Shahidul Islam Babul, Fazlul Haque Milan, Principal Selim Bhuiyan, Rafiqul Islam Majnu, Mahbubur Rahman Liton, Said Al Noman, Habibur Rashid Habib, SM Jilani, Khandaker Abu Ashfaq, Engineer Ashraf Uddin Bakul, and Dipen Dewan.
Leaders from alliance parties may also be included under the technocrat quota, such as Gono Odhikar Parishad President Nurul Haque Nur, Ganosamhati Andolon chief coordinator Zonayed Saki, Bangladesh Jatiya Party Chairman Andalib Rahman Partho, and Jatiya Party faction Chairman Mustafa Jamal Haider.
Political analysts suggest that a cabinet combining experience and youth could play a constructive role in running the government and implementing reforms. BNP leaders are reportedly working meticulously to ensure that the new team is capable, balanced, and ready to take charge after decades in opposition.
