Tarique Rahman-led BNP’s triumph in Bangladesh’s 13th elections has ushered in a cabinet dominated by business veterans—70% to be precise. Local reports, drawing from Election Commission affidavits, disclose that 35 of 50 ministers and state ministers list commerce as their forte.
Breaking it down, Dhaka Tribune notes 19 cabinet ministers and 16 state ministers as self-declared businesspeople. Legal eagles rank next, amid some multi-profession declarations. Pure politicians? Only PM Tarique Rahman and Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Haq Milan claim it, though all are seasoned campaigners.
The February 17 inauguration at National Parliament’s South Plaza welcomed 25 oath-takers, two via technocrat quota. Critics, however, spotlight risks.
Transparency International Bangladesh chief Iftekharuzzaman cautioned against interest conflicts: ‘Cabinet roles shouldn’t funnel benefits to personal enterprises. Abstaining from biased decisions is imperative, lest it distorts markets and penalizes the public,’ per Dhaka Tribune.
This isn’t isolated to the executive. Parliament’s 300 seats saw 174 business pros elected (59%), including 15 garment sector players. BNP’s 209 wins encompass 145 business candidates; Jamaat-e-Islami’s 68 include 20.
At a recent Dhaka presser, TIB’s Mohammad Touhidul Islam launched an affidavit analysis study, spotlighting MP wealth. Bonik Barta cites TIB data: 236 millionaire MPs (79.46%), 13 billionaires. BNP has 189 (90.87% of its tally), Jamaat 38 (55.07%).
As Bangladesh navigates this business-infused governance era, balancing economic expertise with impartiality will test the new leadership’s mettle, potentially reshaping the nation’s developmental trajectory amid whispers of cronyism.