Sajjad Hossain

BNP is still struggling to finalise its nominees for the Jatiya Sangsad seats reserved for women, as a large number of leaders are seeking nominations, whereas Jamaat-e-Islami has completed its preparations and is ready to name its candidates for the 13th parliament.

While treasury and opposition lawmakers clash on the parliament floor over the July charter implementation order, the two sides are also holding back-channel talks outside the assembly hall to end the stalemate.

Some senior BNP leaders have expressed disappointment with the way the repeal of several key ordinances, issued during the interim government, was handled.

The government has decided to step back from new development projects and cut public spending in a broad austerity drive, as it seeks to conserve state resources and manage rising pressure on fuel supply and distribution.

Ministers grapple with fuel crisis, measles, backlash over reforms

In Adui Para, a remote village in Alikadam upazila in Bandarban, the road to school is a hill path of stone, dust and patience.

The government is set to expand its advisory team, bringing in a couple of new faces to help ease growing pressure across ministries, as it seeks to speed up decision-making, improve coordination, and push forward its election pledges.

The BNP is planning to overhaul its central and grassroots committees, along with affiliated and associate bodies, to address gaps that exist in the current organisational structure.

The ruling BNP has yet to begin preparations for the local government elections, as its central leadership is occupied with government duties, leaving them with little time to reorganise its grassroots structure for the next electoral contest.

The ruling BNP is not bothered about the opposition Jamaat-e-Islam’s warning of street protests if the session of the Constitutional Reform Council is not convened as forming the council is not on its priority list.

With the 13th Jatiya Sangsad set to convene on March 12, the ruling BNP is considering standing committee members Abdul Moyeen Khan and Hafiz Uddin Ahmad for the post of speaker, according to party insiders.

During the programme, the prime minister is expected to stress the importance of implementing the party’s manifesto in a structured and measurable manner.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has instructed officials of ministries and departments concerned to remain alert and closely monitor developments in the Middle East.

After forming the government, the ruling BNP has shifted its focus to reorganising and strengthening its party structure, placing particular emphasis on preparations for the local government elections.

Preparations have intensified within the ruling BNP and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami over nominations for the reserved women’s seats in the 13th national parliament as both parties step up internal consultations ahead of the final allocation.

The government is considering the appointment of administrators to the zilla parishads of 61 districts to oversee the activities of the local government bodies until elected representatives assume office.

A sense of disgruntlement has taken over the civil administration over discussions to appoint retired officers to top positions in key ministries through contracts.

A major shake-up has taken place in the top tier of the public administration.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman yesterday directed ministers and state ministers to refrain from making unwarranted remarks that could trigger controversy or undermine the government’s image.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has begun his time at the Secretariat with a strict focus on administrative discipline, monitoring whether ministers, state ministers, and secretaries have been maintaining office hours since assuming office on February 18.