Dhaka, February 17 – In a landmark move following the BNP’s sweeping victory in Bangladesh’s 13th parliamentary elections, Tariq Rahman’s newly formed cabinet has inducted two prominent leaders from minority communities. Among the 25 MPs sworn in as ministers on Tuesday at the National Parliament’s South Plaza were Nitai Roy Chowdhury, a key Hindu figure, and Dipen Dewan, representing the Chakma ethnic group.
The ceremony, overseen by Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal due to vacant Speaker positions, marked a significant shift. Parliament Secretary Kaniz Mula conducted the oaths, bypassing the Constitution Reform Council led by Muhammad Yunus, in a bold statement from BNP chairperson Rahman.
Nitai Roy Chowdhury, 75, a seasoned lawyer and politician from Magura-2, clinched victory with 147,896 votes, defeating Jamaat-e-Islami’s Mustarshid Billah by over 30,000 votes. Long regarded as a top strategist for BNP, Chowdhury edged out expectations that his relative, former minister Goyeshwar Chandra Roy, would take the spot. Roy had served as a state minister in Khaleda Zia’s 1991-1996 government.
Dipen Dewan, from the Buddhist-majority Chakma community in Rangamati, triumphed over an independent rival in the southeast. Though his exact religious affiliation remains unclear—with some identifying him as Hindu—his inclusion underscores inclusive governance.
The full list of ministers includes heavyweights like Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, and Salahuddin Ahmed, alongside fresh faces. This diverse cabinet reflects BNP’s strategy to broaden its appeal post-elections, signaling stability and outreach to minorities amid political transitions.
As Bangladesh navigates its new parliamentary era, Rahman’s choices emphasize unity, potentially reshaping alliances and policies in the coming months.