Government Places Loyalists in Top State Jobs, Raising Concerns
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) government has appointed many of its leaders to key positions in state-run organizations. This decision comes after some leaders did not receive party nominations for the last parliamentary election. At least eleven party leaders now head various government bodies.
Abdul Bari, the BNP’s assistant secretary for religious affairs, is one such example. He now chairs the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC). BIWTC manages inland and coastal water transport. The organization has been losing money since 2021. Critics question if Mr. Bari’s religious affairs background matches BIWTC’s needs.
Other notable appointments include Zakir Hossan, who now leads the Bangladesh Handloom Board. Kazi Rawnaqul Islam is the managing director of the Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Fund. Benazir Ahmed has been made chairman of the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC).
Mamun Hasan, a BNP National Executive Committee member, leads the Bangladesh Jute Corporation. This corporation was declared defunct in 1993. It mostly leases out its remaining land. Many believe Mr. Hasan’s appointment is a reward for his political loyalty.
Professor Asif Mohammad Shahan from Dhaka University commented on these changes. He said these jobs are often used to help party members. He believes that skills and work experience should be the most important factors for government posts.
The BNP’s election promises emphasized professionalism in state institutions. Their manifesto stated that officials would be chosen based on honesty, skill, and experience. It promised to avoid appointments based on personal loyalty. However, these recent appointments seem to go against that pledge.
BNP leaders offer several reasons for these decisions. First, they aim to reward members who actively supported the party. Many also sought election nominations but did not receive them. Second, the government may not fully trust many career bureaucrats. Third, previous bureaucrats did not always perform well. The BNP hopes politicians will bring new energy.
These new government roles come with significant benefits. Appointees receive good salaries and housing allowances. They also get medical support and official vehicles. Such powerful positions can sometimes lead to problems. There have been past accusations of power misuse and corruption.
A K M Abdul Awal Majumder, a former government secretary, shared his view. He suggested observing who performs better in these roles: bureaucrats or politicians. He believes the most capable person should always be chosen. The main question remains whether these appointments will truly help national progress.
