Internal Dynamics Disrupted as Chittagong Hill Tracts Minister Resigns

The newly formed cabinet under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman experienced its first major departure on Monday, 1 June 2026, as the Minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Affairs, Deepen Dewan, stepped down from his post. The resignation, submitted on the first working day following the extensive Eid-ul-Azha recess, was formally accepted by the Prime Minister’s Office. Coming only three and a half months into the administration’s tenure, the abrupt change has sparked intensive discussion across political circles.

Dewan’s official correspondence ascribed his departure entirely to medical conditions, stating:

“Since assuming office, I have been suffering from various physical complications. Due to my physical illness, various problems are arising in discharging the regular duties of the ministry. To enhance the dynamism of the current government’s developmental and administrative activities, I deem it necessary to be relieved from my current position (Minister).”

Regional Protests and Structural Discontent

The announcement triggered immediate pushback from Dewan’s constituency. Activists and supporters from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) organized a demonstration and blocked major roads in Rangamati town near the party’s regional headquarters in Kathaltoli. Local leaders disputed the health-related explanation, asserting that external duress caused the resignation.

Sajamong Marma, Senior Vice-President of the Kaukhali Upazila BNP and an executive member of the district unit, publicly declared that Dewan remained fully capable of carrying out his duties both physically and mentally. Saiful Islam, Vice-President of the Rangamati District BNP, similarly remarked that the minister was not incapacitated, warning that his withdrawal would negatively impact the political balance, local development, and efforts to maintain harmony between indigenous and plains communities.

Political analysts and local sources have highlighted several points of friction that may have contributed to the sudden development:

• Ministry Structuring: Distaste among local hill factions regarding the appointment of Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin—a representative from the plains constituency of Chittagong-5 (Hathazari)—as the Minister of State for CHT Affairs. This marked the first time a non-indigenous politician was appointed to a leadership role in the ministry, violating a long-standing local preference that both portfolios belong to ethnic minorities.

• Council Administrative Delays: Disagreements regarding the restructuring of the Rangamati, Khagrachhari, and Bandarban Hill District Councils. Reports indicate that the Prime Minister’s Office had urged a rapid overhaul of these bodies, which Dewan had delayed.

• Patronage and Appointments: Speculation that Dewan intended to appoint personal associates or relatives to administrator roles within the councils but faced institutional resistance.

Technical Performance and National Context

Despite the alleged administrative strain, associates close to Dewan noted his genuine commitment to the 1997 CHT Peace Accord. He reportedly favoured progressive engagement with the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS) and had recently stated to a senior journalist that he hoped for direct high-level negotiations between PCJSS chairman Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Santu Larma and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

Summary of Deepen Dewan’s Career and Election Outcome

Dewan, a former senior member of the judiciary who left his position as a Joint District Judge in 2005, won his seat during the Thirteenth National Parliamentary Election by an overwhelming margin before being immediately elevated to the cabinet. His father, the late Subimal Dewan, had served as the tribal affairs adviser to former President Ziaur Rahman.

Following his departure, the total size of the cabinet stands at 48 members, excluding ten advisors holding ministerial status. The departure represents a rare occurrence of a cabinet-level resignation occurring so early within a newly established government.