Nearly six months after assuming office, the BNP government has reconstituted the interim hill district councils in Rangamati, Bandarban and Khagrachhari, appointing party leaders and supporters to the three key local government bodies.
A total of 45 people -- 15 in each council, including a chairman -- have been appointed. Most of the members are affiliated with the BNP and its associate organisations.
The move has raised questions whether the BNP government has followed the same practice as previous governments by appointing ruling-party activists, instead of holding elections.
The Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs issued separate gazette notifications on Thursday, dissolving the councils formed in November 2024 and appointing new chairmen and members. The notifications said the newly constituted interim councils would perform all responsibilities of the respective hill district councils until further orders.
RANGAMATI COUNCIL
Dipan Talukdar, president of Rangamati district BNP, has been appointed chairman. He is the younger brother of Kajal Talukdar, who was appointed chairman in November 2024. Dipan is joined by 14 members, at least 12 of whom are affiliated with the BNP, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal or other associate organisations.
Ananda Tishya Chakma, administrative officer of the Rangamati Hill District Council, confirmed that the reconstitution had been completed through a gazette notification.
BANDARBAN COUNCIL
Former MP and BNP central committee secretary for ethnic affairs Mamya Ching has been appointed chairperson of the Bandarban Hill District Council.
She previously served as chairman during the four-party alliance government.
KHAGRACHHARI COUNCIL
Mrasa Thowai Marma, a former accounts officer of the Khagrachhari Hill District Council, has been appointed chairman. He retired in March this year and was a founding member of the Bangladesh Marma Unity Council.
Interim chairperson Shefalika Tripura, appointed in July 2025, has been removed.
NO ELECTIONS IN THREE DECADES
The reconstitution has revived debate over the absence of elections to the three councils. Under the 1997 Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord, the councils were envisaged as elected institutions.
Yet no government has held elections since 1989, when they were known as local government councils.
