BNP plans merging ministries to cut costs, improve admin efficiency

Highlights:

• Tarique Rahman is set to become prime minister 
• BNP plans to form a maximum 33 member cabinet 
• The party intends to merge several ministries to cut state expenditure
•  Proposed mergers include:
  • Education + Primary and Mass Education
  • Agriculture + Fisheries and Livestock
  • Four transport-related ministries into one
• BNP considers a blend of experienced, young leaders in cabinet

As the BNP is all set to take oath and form the next government tomorrow (17 February), discussions are underway within the party and political arena about shaping a smaller and more organised cabinet by merging several ministries to reduce state expenditure and improve administrative efficiency.

Party insiders say the new cabinet is likely to comprise between 27 and 33 members, smaller than its previous term.

Among the proposed changes are the merger of the Ministry of Education with the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, the Ministry of Agriculture with the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, and the consolidation of the four transport-related ministries into a single entity.

On condition of anonymity, a senior BNP leader told The Business Standard that the move is designed to streamline operations and reduce bureaucratic complexity. "Initially, the cabinet will be kept small. Some ministers may oversee multiple ministries. Over time, ministries will be merged in phases to bring down the total number," he said.

The oath-taking ceremony for MPs-elect is scheduled to be held at 11:30am tomorrow at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. The swearing-in of the prime minister and the cabinet members is expected to take place at 4pm.

The BNP has convened a meeting of its parliamentary party after the ceremony. Salahuddin Ahmed, a standing committee member of the party, said the meeting will elect the parliamentary leader. "As the leader of the majority party, our party chairman Tarique Rahman will become prime minister."

Balance of experience, youth

The BNP is reportedly considering a combination of seasoned leaders and younger politicians for the new cabinet, signaling a balance between experience and fresh leadership.

Several ministers from the BNP's 2001-2006 tenure are being considered for inclusion, particularly those viewed as having maintained a clean image. 

According to party sources, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is being considered for the presidency, while Abdul Moyeen Khan may be nominated as Speaker of Parliament.

Other senior leaders under discussion for key roles include Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury for the commerce ministry and Salahuddin Ahmed for the local government ministry. Standing committee members such as Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Mirza Abbas and Gayeshwar Chandra Roy are also expected to hold positions in the cabinet.

Meanwhile, another senior leader Nazrul Islam Khan is being considered as political adviser to the prime minister.

At the same time, the party is placing emphasis on inducting younger, highly educated leaders to foster new leadership and bring innovative thinking into governance. Among those being considered are Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi for the information and broadcasting ministry, and policy adviser Humayun Kabir as state minister for foreign affairs (technocrat).

Party insiders say the inclusion of younger faces reflects commitments made in the election manifesto to revitalise public administration, modernise policymaking and ensure dynamic governance.

Inclusion of alliance partners

BNP leaders also hint that representatives from parties involved in the simultaneous anti-government movement in recent years would be evaluated in the cabinet.

The party (BNP) had earlier pledged to form a "national government" if the previous administration was ousted. Leaders say those who stood together during years of political struggle would be considered in government formation.

Names under discussion reportedly include economist Reza Kibria, political figure Bobby Hajjaj, Andaleeve Rahman Partho and Nurul Haque Nur.

Election results

The BNP secured 211 seats, ensuring a clear majority in the latest national election. However, results in two constituencies – Chattogram-2 and Chattogram-4 – remain suspended due to legal complications.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami won 68 seats. Other parties securing representation include NCP with six seats, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish with two, while Islami Andolon Bangladesh, Khelafat Majlish, Bangladesh Jatiya Party, Gono Odhikar Parishad, and Ganosamhati Andolon managed to win one seat each. 

Besides, seven independent candidates were elected. 

As per rule, the formation of the new government begins with the swearing-in of MPs-elect, followed by the appointment of the prime minister and the subsequent formation of the cabinet – the size of which will ultimately be determined by the majority party.

With a decisive mandate and an ambitious restructuring agenda, the BNP now faces the challenge of translating electoral promises into administrative reform.