Sunday, 5th April 2026
Khabor Wala Desk
Published: 18th February 2026, 10:41 PM
Following the formation of the new BNP-led government on 17 February 2026, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has unveiled a cabinet that places significant strategic importance on the Rajshahi Division. Despite a complex electoral map where the BNP secured 28 out of 39 seats—with the remaining 11 claimed by the Jamaat-led alliance—the administration has moved to reassure the region of its commitment to equitable growth.
The Rajshahi Division has been granted a powerful presence in the new executive branch, boasting two full ministers, four ministers of state, and one influential advisor holding the rank of minister of state. This move is seen as a calculated effort to fortify the party’s traditional bastions in Rajshahi and Bogra while addressing long-standing grievances regarding regional neglect.
Perhaps the most notable appointment is that of Mizanur Rahman Minu as the Minister for Land. A veteran politician and former three-time Mayor of Rajshahi City, Minu’s elevation to a full cabinet post ends a 46-year drought for the divisional headquarters. The city had not seen a representative hold a full ministerial portfolio since 1979.
In his inaugural address, Minister Minu dismissed concerns that districts without direct ministerial representation would be sidelined. “Sustainable development remains our primary focus,” he stated. “The absence of a minister from a specific district does not equate to negligence. Our history proves that the BNP prioritises balanced regional progress.”
The cabinet reflects a blend of seasoned technocrats and emerging political leaders:
| Official | Constituency | Portfolio / Role | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku | Sirajganj-2 | Power, Energy & Mineral Resources | Full Minister |
| Mizanur Rahman Minu | Rajshahi-2 | Ministry of Land | Full Minister |
| Farzana Sharmin Putul | Natore-1 | Women, Children & Social Welfare | Minister of State |
| Dr M.A. Muhit | Sirajganj-6 | Health & Family Welfare | Minister of State |
| Mir Shahe Alam | Bogra-2 | LGRD & Cooperatives | Minister of State |
| Mohammad Abdul Bari | Joypurhat-2 | Public Administration | Minister of State |
| Rehan Asif Asad | Godagari, Rajshahi | Foreign Affairs Cell | Advisor (State Rank) |
The appointments highlight several interesting political narratives. Farzana Sharmin Putul, a Supreme Court lawyer and the only female MP elected from the 72 seats of Northern Bangladesh, continues her father’s legacy in Natore. Meanwhile, the appointment of Mohammad Abdul Bari, a former Deputy Commissioner, as the Minister of State for Public Administration, signals a desire for bureaucratic expertise within the political leadership.
In Bogra, Mir Shahe Alam’s rise from a Union Parishad Chairman to a Minister of State for Local Government (LGRD) underscores the party’s focus on grassroots connectivity. Additionally, the appointment of Rehan Asif Asad as an advisor highlights the influence of the Prime Minister’s dedicated Foreign Affairs Cell.
While districts such as Chapainawabganj, Pabna, and Naogaon currently lack direct representation in the cabinet, party organisers like Advocate Syed Shaheen Showkat believe the collective influence of these seven officials will drive a “renaissance of development” across the entire Rajshahi Division.
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