BNP breaks all past records in partisanship of administration

Staff Correspondent

Dhaka: The history of partyization in government administration and various organizations is not new in Bangladesh. But the current BNP-led government has set an unprecedented example in this regard by breaking all past records. Without any bureaucratic process or loophole, 12 top leaders of the party who are active and holding positions have been appointed to the top executive positions (chairmen/managing directors) of 12 important government organizations, boards and corporations of the state at once.

The contract-based appointment orders have been issued through 12 separate notifications from the Contract and Foreign Recruitment Branch of the Ministry of Public Administration. All of the appointees are central-level leaders of the BNP and its affiliates.

List of appointed leaders :

1. Md . Shamsul Alam (Private Secretary to Begum Khaleda Zia) — Additional Secretary, Election Commission Secretariat.
2. Md . Salahuddin Sarkar (Central Executive President of the Nationalist Workers’ Party) — Director General, Bangladesh Sramik Kalyan Foundation.
3. Md. Rashedul Haque (International Affairs Secretary of the Central Committee of the BNP) — Managing Director, Bangladesh Overseas Employment and Services Limited (BOESL).
4. Md. Mosaddek Hossain Bulbul (Forest and Environment Affairs Secretary of the Central Committee of the BNP, former Mayor of Rajshahi City Corporation) — Chairman, Bangladesh Forest Industries Development Corporation.
5. A. T. M. Abdul Bari Danny (Associate Religious Affairs Secretary of the Central Committee of the BNP) — Chairman, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC).
6. Md . Kamruzzaman ( Kamruzzaman Dulal ) (Former Central Vice-President of the Nationalist Youth Party) — Executive Secretary, Bangladesh National Social Welfare Council.
7. Abdul Khalek (Rangpur Divisional Co-Organizing Secretary of BNP) — Chairman, Bangladesh Steel and Engineering Corporation (BSEC).
8. Shamsuzzaman ( Suruj ) (Member of the National Executive Committee of BNP) — Chairman, Bangladesh Sugar and Food Industries Corporation (BSFIC).
9. Kazi Rawnakul Islam ( Tipu ) (Associate Forest and Environment Secretary of the Central Committee of BNP) — Managing Director, Bangladesh Climate Change Trust.
10. Md . Zakir Hossain Siddiqui (Former Central Vice-President of the Nationalist Youth Party) — Chairman, Bangladesh Handloom Board.
11. Benazir Ahmed ( Benazir Ahmed Tito ) (BNP Dhaka Divisional Co-Organizing Secretary) — Chairman, Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC).
12. Mamun Hasan (BNP National Executive Committee Member and Former Central General Secretary of Jubo Dal) — Chairman, Bangladesh Jute Corporation.

Analysts say that while there were allegations of partisanship in the administration during the previous Awami League government, they generally did not appoint political leaders who held public office directly to the heads of corporations or departments. The current appointments have crossed that line and further strengthened the allegations of complete partisanship in the administration.

The appointee, Md. Shamsul Alam, retired naturally in March 2018. It is known that this officer, known as a BNP supporter, did not get a promotion during the Awami League regime. On the night of December 31, 2018, the police arrested him from Agargaon. The charge was – leaking the secret results of the ‘night vote’ of the 11th National Parliament election. He was in prison for a long time under the Digital Security Act.

After retirement, he became actively involved in BNP politics. On August 3, 2025, Md. Shamsul Alam served as a member of the Parliamentary Seat Realignment Committee formed under the leadership of BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan. He is currently 67 years old.

According to analysts, due to deprivation in service life, promotions or benefits can be given on a merit basis. But bringing back a retired officer who is directly active in party politics on a contract basis and appointing him to a constitutional institution is unprecedented. It is worth noting that the BNP government, after taking office on February 17, also appointed Abdus Sattar, who is involved in party politics, as the Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary.

The Election Commission is a constitutional institution. Questions have been raised about the appointment of a politically active person as additional secretary here. He will be directly involved in the conduct of the upcoming local government elections. Political analysts and civil society representatives have expressed doubts about whether it is possible to organize a fair election in such a situation.

The BNP government’s appointment process has drawn strong reactions from opposition political parties and civil society. Many are calling it “complete partisanship of the administration” and saying it will severely damage the impartiality and efficiency of government agencies. The Ministry of Public Administration has not yet given a detailed explanation on the matter. There is a possibility of further controversy over the issue.