The current BNP-led government's first six months in office will be completed on August 16, triggering widespread speculation over a major cabinet reshuffle and the appointment of a new President. At the first cabinet meeting held on February 18, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman directed every ministry to submit a 180-day action plan and announced that ministers would be evaluated after six months based on their performance. With that deadline approaching, discussions over a significant restructuring of the cabinet have intensified.
According to reliable sources, the performance evaluation of ministers and state ministers is now in its final stage. Intelligence agencies have already collected reports on the activities of every ministry, the performance of ministers, and their coordination with the administration. The Prime Minister has also personally reviewed information gathered from multiple channels. Based on the assessment, several ministers and state ministers may have their portfolios reshuffled, some could be dropped from the cabinet, while a number of new faces are likely to be inducted.
At the same time, the question of who will become the country's next President has emerged as a major topic of political discussion. Reliable sources say the BNP has reached a policy-level decision to nominate its Secretary General, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, for the presidency. Senior party leaders have confirmed that the BNP Standing Committee has authorized party Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to make the final nomination, and that he has already given his policy approval.
If Mirza Fakhrul is elected President, his current responsibilities as Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives will become vacant. Sources also indicate that BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi may be appointed Acting Secretary General of the party. The position of Deputy Leader of the House in Parliament is also expected to be filled as part of the reshuffle.
State Minister Mir Shahe Alam is reportedly being considered for promotion as the full Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives. Alternatively, Prime Minister's adviser Dr. Mahdi Amin or Ruhul Kabir Rizvi may be assigned responsibilities in the Local Government or Information Ministry.
Sources further suggest that Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed is almost certain to be appointed Deputy Leader of the House. He may also be entrusted with the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry in addition to his current responsibilities. In that case, a former student leader may be appointed as State Minister for Home Affairs to strengthen law enforcement and improve public security.
The government's evaluation reportedly focuses on the implementation of election pledges, speed and quality of decision-making, disposal of public complaints, coordination with the civil administration, attendance in Parliament, and overall political performance. According to sources, only a few ministers have demonstrated notable achievements so far, although several state ministers have received comparatively positive evaluations.
The review has also found that ministers holding multiple portfolios are struggling to perform effectively because of excessive workloads. As a result, the government is considering limiting them to a single ministry. Khondaker Abdul Muqtadir currently oversees the Commerce, Industries, and Textiles and Jute ministries, while Sheikh Robiul Alam is responsible for Road Transport and Highways, Bridges, Railways, and Shipping. Both are expected to retain only one portfolio.
The Prime Minister is also said to be dissatisfied with the progress of the Agriculture Ministry's "Farmer Card" programme and the overall electricity situation. Although the Power Ministry claimed that there was no load-shedding, the Prime Minister reportedly found evidence of power disruptions in several areas. Allegations of irregularities in the power and energy sector have also embarrassed the government. Consequently, Agriculture Minister Amin Ur Rashid Yasin and Power and Energy Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku may be reassigned. Tuku is reportedly being considered for the Industries or Railways Ministry.
Health Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain Bokul may also lose his current portfolio or even be dropped from the cabinet. Changes are also expected in the Ministries of Cultural Affairs, Liberation War Affairs, Water Resources, and Information, where new faces could be appointed. In addition, the government is considering appointing a full minister from the Chittagong Hill Tracts to head the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs.
According to party sources, State Minister for Textiles and Jute Md. Shariful Alam, State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salahuddin Tuku, State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M. Rashiduzzaman Millat, State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin Putul, and State Minister for Expatriates' Welfare Nurul Haque Nur are among those who may be promoted with full ministerial responsibilities.
Several new faces are also being discussed for inclusion in the cabinet, including BNP Standing Committee member Selima Rahman, Bangladesh Jatiya Party Chairman Barrister Andalib Rahman Partha, Krishak Dal General Secretary Md. Shahidul Islam Babul, government whip Rakibul Islam Bokul, and Mia Nuruddin Ahmed Apu.
Among the Prime Minister's advisers, Dr. Mahdi Amin, Rehan Asif Asad, Humayun Kabir, and Dr. S. M. Ziauddin Haider are also being considered for ministerial positions. In addition, four newly elected MPs from Rajshahi, Khulna, Dhaka, and Mymensingh divisions may be appointed as deputy ministers as part of the government's next phase of restructuring.
Meanwhile, although senior BNP leaders such as Dr. Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Goyeshwar Chandra Roy, and Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan could not be accommodated in the cabinet, party sources say they are likely to be given important responsibilities as chairpersons of parliamentary standing committees during the next session of Parliament.
Note: This report is based on information provided by party and government sources. None of the reported appointments or changes has been officially announced or confirmed by the relevant authorities.