Six BNP leaders assume roles as administrators in Dhaka, other cities

Fakhrul says political appointees will ensure “better” public service delivery

Six administrators have taken charge of Bangladesh’s city corporations, including Dhaka North and South, after meeting Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

On Tuesday at the Secretariat, Abdus Salam of Dhaka South, Shafiqul Islam Khan of Dhaka North, Nazrul Islam Monju of Khulna, Abdul Qayyum Chowdhury of Sylhet, Sakhawat Hossain Khan of Narayanganj and Showkat Hossain Sarkar of Gazipur met the minister and formally assumed office.

Speaking afterwards, Fakhrul said: “Since government officials were previously in charge of these posts, we believe that if political figures serve as administrators, the public will receive better and greater services… that is our belief.

“For this reason, we have appointed political leaders as administrators.”

He added that this would also help reduce the “distance” between the authorities and the people.

On Monday, the government appointed six BNP leaders as administrators for the metropolitan areas.

An order order that they will serve in these roles until the corporations are officially reconstituted or until further notice.

After the interim government took office on Aug 8, 2024, it removed the mayors of 12 city corporations on Aug 19 and installed administrators in their place.

With the general elections now concluded, the focus has shifted towards holding local government polls.