Former Gono Odhikar Parishad convener Reza Kibria joins BNP

Former Gono Odhikar Parishad convener economist Reza Kibria has officially joined the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

He joined the party today (1 December) at BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia's political office in Gulshan, with BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed present at the ceremony.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul said, "We are very pleased and proud that Reza Kibria has come among us today and joined our party. On behalf of our party Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, I welcome him to our party."

"I believe Reza Kibria can play an important role in fulfilling BNP's 31-point reform agenda," he added.

Reza Kibria said, "A party that has twice protected multi-party democracy, we do not see such examples in the history of any other country. For these reasons, I am drawn to the BNP, and [former] president Ziaur Rahman is my inspiration. I believe the leadership of BNP will be able to help the new generation achieve all their dreams."

Reza Kibria filled out BNP's primary membership form earlier last month, according to media reports. He is likely to contest the upcoming national election from the Habiganj-1 constituency under BNP's electoral symbol.

Born in Habiganj's Nabiganj, Reza Kibria is an economist who served for many years at the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

He entered Bangladesh's politics after leaving the IMF in 2018, initially joining the Gono Forum. Later, he became the founding convener of Gono Odhikar Parishad in 2021. He resigned from his post in January 2024.

He is also known for his work and commentary on economic policy.

Reza Kibria is the son of former finance minister and Awami League leader Shah AMS Kibria. He was a distinguished diplomat who was assassinated in a grenade attack in Habiganj in 2005.