Cabinet reshuffle talks gain momentum

Discussions over a possible cabinet reshuffle have intensified as the government completes six months in office and reviews the implementation of its first 180-day action plan, with changes in ministerial responsibilities and the inclusion of new faces likely to take priority over major removals.
The government is reviewing the performance of different ministries, the activities of ministers and the progress of various projects. Based on the review, the responsibilities of some ministers may be redistributed, while new members could be brought into the cabinet.
Several responsible government sources said the focus is currently more on adjusting responsibilities than removing major figures from the cabinet.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman outlined the government’s first 180-day action plan and the implementation of its election promises on February 17, the day after the government took office. The deadline for the programme ends on August 16.
Different ministries have meanwhile submitted reports on their progress and achievements, and a decision on cabinet changes may be taken after those reports are reviewed.
The possibility of a reshuffle has drawn further attention after the BNP nominated its Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir for the presidency. The presidential election is scheduled for August 20.
If Mirza Fakhrul wins the election, a new person will almost certainly be given charge of the Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives (LGRD) Ministry, according to people concerned.
Apart from filling the position currently held by Mirza Fakhrul, discussions are also underway about redistributing responsibilities in several other ministries. Government sources said the inclusion of some senior BNP leaders in the cabinet is also being considered.
The names being discussed include BNP Standing Committee members Gayeshwar Chandra Roy and Dr Abdul Moin Khan, BNP Chairman's Adviser Zainul Abedin Faruk and Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.
There are also discussions about giving new responsibilities to Standing Committee members Begum Selima Rahman and Andalib Rahman Partha.
According to the discussions, current Home Minister Salauddin Ahmed may be given charge of the LGRD Ministry. Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie may be moved to the Home Ministry, while Gayeshwar Chandra Roy may be given charge of the Water Resources Ministry.
There is also discussion about giving the Planning Ministry to Dr Abdul Moin Khan and the Agriculture Ministry to Zainul Abedin Faruk.
Within the BNP, there are discussions about giving Ruhul Kabir Rizvi an important ministry. Sources also said Begum Selima Rahman may be given charge of the Women and Children Affairs Ministry, while Dr MA Muhith may be made the full minister of the Health Ministry.
There are also rumours that Andalib Rahman Partha may be included in the Shipping Ministry. However, people concerned said no final decision has been made on any of these issues.
Sources said responsibilities may also be redistributed in several ministries, including Women and Children Affairs, Social Welfare, Industry, Commerce, Textiles and Jute, Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock, and Road, Rail and Shipping.
Reducing the workload of ministers who currently handle several ministries or departments and making administrative activities more effective are also being considered.
At present, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is in charge of the Cabinet Division, Defence Ministry and Armed Forces Division. Apart from the Prime Minister, 25 full ministers and 24 state ministers are serving in the cabinet. Advisers and special assistants are also working in different important areas of the government.
A responsible government source said there is currently no situation that requires anyone to be removed from the cabinet.
"Instead, the government will examine the weaknesses of different ministries, where the workload is high and where new responsible persons are needed," the source said.
As a result, the first phase of the reshuffle is more likely to involve retaining the existing structure while adding a few new members rather than making major changes.
A cabinet member told the Daily Observer that despite various recommendations and requests from ministries, a section of the bureaucracy is not giving them due importance in many cases.
He said the situation had developed partly because of the possibility of a cabinet reshuffle after six months.
A member of the BNP Standing Committee told the Daily Observer, "It is true that there will be changes in the cabinet. However, there is no possibility of any major changes before September 20."
An influential cabinet member said the final authority to change the cabinet or redistribute responsibilities rests with the Prime Minister.
"The process will be implemented only when he considers it necessary," the cabinet member said.
BNP Standing Committee member Begum Selima Rahman MP told the Daily Observer, "Since the Secretary General is the President, someone new will come to the LGRD Ministry-it is certain. However, I am not sure about the rumours of changes in any other ministry."
BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi told the Daily Observer, "I do not have any specific information about the reshuffle of the Council of Ministers. However, the country's executive head can reshuffle the cabinet at any time in the interest of the country and the nation."