Speaker Post: Three Senior BNP Leaders in Discussion

The inaugural session of the 13th National Parliament is scheduled to convene on 12 March, where the elections for Speaker and Deputy Speaker will take centre stage. Reliable sources indicate that three senior leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) are currently under consideration for the Speaker position, sparking widespread discussion both within party circles and among the general public.

Following its decisive victory in the 13th general election, the BNP, led by party chairman Tarique Rahman, formed the new government on 17 February. Under the premiership of Tarique Rahman, the cabinet now comprises 25 ministers and 24 state ministers, while an additional 10 advisors closely affiliated with the party have been appointed.

Since the government formation, speculation has been rife over who will occupy the key parliamentary posts—Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and Chief Whip. Party insiders reveal that the debate has not only captivated BNP members but has also drawn intense public curiosity.

Among the names being floated, Dr. Abdul Moin Khan, a member of BNP’s Standing Committee, emerges as the frontrunner for the Speaker role. Widely regarded as a leader of untarnished reputation, he has previously been elected to parliament five times from the Narsingdi-2 constituency, lending him significant political experience and credibility.

Also under consideration is Advocate Zainul Abedin, Vice Chairman of the BNP and a senior lawyer of the Bangladesh Supreme Court. A former president of the Supreme Court Bar Association, Zainul Abedin has secured his parliamentary seat from Barisal-3 in the most recent elections.

The third prominent contender is Dr. M. Osman Faruk, a former Minister of Education, who has also been cited as a potential candidate for the Speaker’s chair.

Although the final decision rests with the BNP leadership, insiders suggest that one of these three is highly likely to be elected Speaker when the new parliament convenes.

The table below summarises the three main candidates and their credentials:

As the 13th National Parliament approaches its first session, anticipation is mounting. Party members, political analysts, and the public alike are keenly watching which senior leader will take the helm as the new Speaker, a role pivotal to the functioning of Bangladesh’s parliamentary democracy.