By carefully choosing candidates for key posts, BNP seeks to build a competent, controversy‑free cabinet that will send a positive message to the people, party insiders said.
Sources added that BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman is personally overseeing discussions ahead of the swearing‑in of the BNP‑led cabinet tomorrow.
The cabinet is expected to have 25 to 30 members. The leadership will consider former ministers from the BNP‑led 2001 government, Standing Committee members, and new faces in an attempt to balance seasoned leaders with younger figures.
Tarique Rahman is poised to become prime minister, taking charge of at least five ministries, including defence.
Party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir may become the next president, though the appointment process could take time. In the meantime, he is expected to helm a key ministry.
Former housing and public works minister Mirza Abbas and former textiles and jute minister Hafiz Uddin Ahmed are likely to return in ministerial roles.
Former commerce minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and former information minister Abdul Moyeen Khan are also being considered.
Other names include former health minister Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, former communications minister Salahuddin Ahmed, and former state minister for power Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku.
BNP Standing Committee members Gayeshwar Chandra Roy and AZM Zahid Hossain are expected to join the cabinet. Newly elected MPs such as Shama Ubaed (Faridpur‑2), Afroza Khanam Rita (Manikganj‑3), and Barrister Farzana Sharmin Putul (Natore‑1) are also under consideration.
For technocrat posts, the party has shortlisted Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan, Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Joint Secretary General (International Relations) Humayun Kabir, and Advisory Council Member Ismail Jabiullah. Either Nazrul or Rizvi may serve in the Prime Minister’s Office, in which case only one of them will be included in the cabinet.
Other potential names from the list of MPs include Fazlur Rahman (Kishoreganj‑4), Abdul Awal Mintoo (Feni‑3), Muhammad Naushad Zamir (Panchagarh‑1), Sayeed Al Noman (Chattogram‑10), and ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon (Chandpur‑1).
Habiganj‑1 winner Reza Kibria, who joined the party ahead of the polls, and Bhola‑1 winner Andaleeve Rahman Partho, chairman of Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP), are also likely to be included.
Party Vice Chairman Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad, Chairperson’s Adviser Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, Executive Committee member Ruhul Quddus Talukder Dulu, Joint Secretary General Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee, Student Affairs Secretary Rokibul Islam Bakul, Publicity Secretary Sultan Salahuddin Tuku, Kishoreganj BNP President Shariful Alam, and Co-Organising Secretary Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin -- all of whom won in the election -- are also on the draft list.
Some senior leaders not likely to be included in the new cabinet may instead be appointed to Tarique’s advisory council.
Meanwhile, sources noted little enthusiasm within party leaders about taking responsibility for the home or information ministries, as not many are willing to shoulder the pressure or public scrutiny.
According to insiders, Tarique has already held discussions with several Standing Committee members, seeking their opinions and exploring possible ministerial roles for them.
Meanwhile, senior party leaders said the chief is seeking individuals free from controversy, without corruption charges or allegations of abuse of power.
Sources said the party believes it has been voted to power to curb corruption, leaving little chance for those facing such allegations to enter the cabinet.
The high command is prioritising skilled, competent, and educated leaders.
The BNP will place special emphasis on the foreign, finance, law, and information ministries, which the party considers crucial in the post‑uprising context.
Leaders also noted that ensuring representation of women and minority communities in the new cabinet is under consideration.
