BNP is finalising preparations to form a new government after securing an absolute majority in the 13th parliamentary election.
Party sources say the swearing-in of newly elected Members of Parliament (MPs) is scheduled for Tuesday morning. The prime minister and members of the cabinet are expected to take the oath of office later in the afternoon.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin is set to administer the oath to the prime minister and cabinet members. However, it has yet to be confirmed who will administer the oath to the MPs.
The Cabinet Division is making the necessary preparations for the ceremonies.
According to party insiders, the initial cabinet will not be very large. The size may be expanded later if necessary. Early discussions suggest the cabinet could be kept to around 40 members.
BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman is said to be prioritising a balance between senior and younger political leaders, elected MPs and individuals who are not members of parliament but may be inducted under the technocrat quota.
Senior leaders have indicated that a final decision will be taken by Tarique after further discussions at a meeting of the party’s standing committee, to be held after MPs are sworn in.
Speaking to TIMES of Bangladesh, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the new government would be formed “very soon”, though he declined to confirm who would be included in the cabinet.
Asked which portfolio he would be given, he said he was unaware of any decision and added that the cabinet oath would follow shortly after MPs are sworn in.
A party source suggested Alamgir could initially be given charge of an important ministry. There is also discussion within the party that he could be nominated for the presidency at a later stage.
Among the party’s senior standing committee members reportedly under consideration for key ministries are Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Abdul Moyeen Khan, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, Hafizuddin Ahmed and AZM Zahid Hossain.
Under the technocrat quota, discussions are said to include standing committee members Nazrul Islam Khan and Selima Rahman, chairman’s adviser Md Enamul Haque, senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, joint secretaries general Humayun Kabir and Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel, media cell convener Moudud Hossain Alamgir Pavel, adviser Mahdi Amin and Dhaka North BNP convener Aminul Haque.
Party sources say that if some figures are not accommodated under the technocrat quota, they could be appointed as advisers with ministerial rank. Others may be given key roles within the Prime Minister’s Office.
Several newly elected MPs are also being discussed as potential cabinet members. They include Nitai Roy Chowdhury, Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie, ABM Ashraf Uddin Nijan, Mohammad Naushad Zamir, Amanullah Aman, Habibur Rashid, Sheikh Rabiul Alam, Asadul Habib Dulu, Ruhul Quddus Talukder Dulu, Anindya Islam Amit, Rakibul Islam Bakul, Mohammad Ali Asgar Lobby, Abdul Wadud Bhuiya and Sachin Pro Jerry.
Other names mentioned as possible contenders include Nurul Islam Moni, Altaf Hossain Chowdhury, Mujibur Rahman Sarwar, ABM Mosharraf Hossain, Zahir Uddin Swapan, Abdus Salam Pintu, Zainal Abedin, Kaiser Kamal, Fazlur Rahman, Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad, Shariful Alam, Mostafizur Rahman Babul, Afroza Khan Rita, Fazlul Haque Milon, Khairul Kabir Khokon, Shama Obaid, Shahidul Islam Babul, Mia Nuruddin Ahmed Apu, Khandaker Abdul Moktadir Chowdhury, ANM Ehsanul Haque Milon, Abdul Awal Mintoo, Barkatullah Bulu, Md Shahjahan, Mohammad Fakhrul Islam, Reza Kibria, Md Mosharraf Hossain and Saeed Al Noman.
From allied parties, Andaleeve Rahman Partha, Zonayed Saki and Nurul Haque Nur could also be included in the cabinet, according to party sources. Although defeated in the Bogura-2 constituency, Mahmudur Rahman Manna’s name is reportedly being discussed for inclusion under the technocrat quota.
However, the final composition of the cabinet has yet to be confirmed. Party leaders say a conclusive decision will be made following consultations within the standing committee after the MPs take their oath.
