Where will the country’s new Prime Minister reside?

Following its decisive victory in the 13th national parliamentary elections, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is preparing to form the new government. Internal deliberations are underway regarding the allocation of ministerial positions, while members of the opposition—including MPs from Jamaat-e-Islami and allied parties—will assume their roles in the parliamentary minority.

On Tuesday, newly elected MPs and prospective ministers are scheduled to take their oaths of office. Immediately following the ceremony, members of the freshly constituted cabinet are expected to move into official government residences.

The government maintains a total of 71 official bungalows and houses designated for the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, ministers, state ministers, and deputy ministers. Preparations are already in motion to make these residences ready for occupancy. Of particular significance is the residence of the Prime Minister, whose official accommodation is being given special attention. However, officials from the Ministry of Public Works and Housing have stated that the precise residence the Prime Minister will occupy has not yet been confirmed.

There has been speculation that the new Prime Minister may move into the residence along the Jamuna River, traditionally occupied by the outgoing Chief Adviser, following the transformation of the former Prime Minister’s residence, Gonobhaban, into the July People’s Uprising Memorial Museum. Nevertheless, neither the Department of Public Works nor the Government Housing Directorate has received any formal instruction regarding this decision.

Mohammad Khalekuzzaman Chowdhury, Chief Engineer of the Public Works Department, told Jugantor on Sunday that renovation work for the Prime Minister’s residence cannot commence until a final decision is made. “Once the Prime Minister decides, the department will take all necessary measures to prepare the residence,” he said.

According to Mohammad Asaduzzaman, Director of the Government Housing Directorate, approximately half of the 71 official residences are currently vacant and suitable for immediate occupancy, requiring only basic cleaning and maintenance. The remaining properties are temporarily occupied by representatives of the outgoing caretaker government. These will be prepared for new occupants once vacated.

He added that from the moment of taking the oath, cabinet members—including the Prime Minister—are entitled to all official housing and associated facilities. In the event of delays in allocation, they will receive government allowances according to their rank. Housing assignments are overseen by three committees, led respectively by relevant ministers and department heads.

Officials confirmed that residences for cabinet-level officials are located across central Dhaka in areas such as Bailey Road, Minto Road, Hair Road, Dhanmondi, the Parliament House area, and Gulshan. Of note, the opposition leader’s residence at 29 Minto Road—formerly occupied by both former Prime Ministers Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina—is expected to house Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman.

Preparations are progressing smoothly, as several advisers and special assistants of the caretaker government have already vacated their official residences, including Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan, Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan, and Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Khoda Baksh Chowdhury.

Government Residences for Key Officials

The coming days will reveal the exact allocation of official residences as the new government assumes office, finalising the logistical arrangements for Bangladesh’s highest-ranking officials.