Md Samsuzzaman Samu, the convener of Rangpur City BNP, has been appointed as the first chairman of the Rangpur Development Authority (RPDA).
The appointment was made on Thursday night by order of president through a notification issued by the Contract and Foreign Recruitment Wing of Public Administration Ministry.
Signed by Deputy Secretary Golam Rabbani, the notification states that under the Rangpur Development Authority Act, 2026, Samu has been appointed as Chairman (Grade-2) for a term of one year from his date of joining.
According to the terms of the contractual appointment, Samu must relinquish all other professional, business, or institutional affiliations – whether government, semi-government, or private – before taking office.
Other conditions of the appointment will be determined by the contract agreement.
In response to his appointment, the newly designated RPDA Chairman expressed his gratitude to “Almighty Allah” and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
“I want to do whatever is necessary to bring development-deprived Rangpur into the mainstream of development with the cooperation of the prime minister,” Samu stated. “I hope to be able to convey the grassroots’ aspirations for development to the Prime Minister, Insha’Allah.”
Political and professional background
Samsuzzaman Samu currently serves as the convener of Rangpur City unit of BNP. He is also the convener of Boishommyo Birodhi Nagorik Oikya, Rangpur City unit, and the member secretary of District Sports Association.
An experienced politician, Samu has previously held several key positions, including general secretary, senior vice-president, and acting president of the city BNP, as well as joint convener of the district BNP.
He contested the Rangpur-3 constituency as a BNP candidate in the 13th Parliamentary Election, where he was defeated by a candidate from Jamaat-e-Islami.
Samu’s political involvement dates back to his student days with the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD). He served as the General Secretary and President of the Carmichael College JCD and later held the same positions for the Rangpur District JCD.
He was also a former organising secretary for the Rajshahi Division. In 1990, he led the anti-autocracy movement in the greater Rangpur region as the President of the All-Party Student Unity Council.
Samu was highly active in movements against the Awami League government, leading to 61 cases being filed against him and 23 instances of imprisonment. For his leadership during the July movement, 25 cases were filed against him prior to 5 August.
Beyond politics, Samu is a businessman and is involved with various social, cultural, voluntary, and professional organisations, as well as educational institutions. In 1992, he accompanied then-prime minister Khaleda Zia to Senegal for the OIC Summit.
