Following the formation of the new government on 17 February 2026, under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the Rajshahi Division has emerged as a significant beneficiary of ministerial portfolios. Of the 39 parliamentary seats in the region, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secured a commanding 28, with the remaining 11 claimed by the Jamaat-led 11-party alliance. In a move seen as a reward for this electoral loyalty, the administration has appointed two full ministers, four state ministers, and one advisor from the division.
A Historic Shift for Rajshahi City
Perhaps the most notable appointment is that of Mizanur Rahman Minu, elected from the Rajshahi-2 (Sadr) constituency, who has been named the Minister for Land. This marks a historic moment for the city, which had not seen one of its representatives hold a full ministerial rank for nearly 46 years. Mr Minu, a veteran politician who served as the Mayor of Rajshahi City for 17 consecutive years, is a popular figure whose appointment has sparked widespread celebrations across the divisional capital.
In his inaugural statement, Minister Minu reassured the public that his focus would remain on the holistic development of the region. “The absence of a minister from a specific district does not equate to neglect,” he stated, addressing concerns in districts like Pabna and Naogaon that did not receive cabinet representation.
Strategic Portfolio Allocations
The cabinet reflects a blend of seasoned experience and fresh perspective. Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, representing Sirajganj-2, has been appointed as the Minister for Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources. Having previously served as a State Minister in the same department between 2001 and 2006, his promotion to full minister is seen as a strategic move to stabilise the nation’s energy security.
The following table outlines the key appointments from the Rajshahi Division:
| Name | Constituency | Designation | Ministry / Portfolio |
| Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku | Sirajganj-2 | Full Minister | Power, Energy & Mineral Resources |
| Mizanur Rahman Minu | Rajshahi-2 | Full Minister | Land |
| Farzana Sharmin Putul | Natore-1 | State Minister | Women & Children Affairs; Social Welfare |
| Dr M.A. Muhit | Sirajganj-6 | State Minister | Health & Family Welfare |
| Mir Shahe Alam | Bogra-2 | State Minister | LGRD & Cooperatives |
| Mohammad Abdul Bari | Joypurhat-2 | State Minister | Public Administration |
| Rehan Asif Asad | Rajshahi (Godagari) | Advisor | Prime Minister’s Office (Foreign Affairs) |
Emerging Leadership and Expertise
The appointments also highlight a commitment to professional expertise. Mohammad Abdul Bari, a former member of the administration cadre and ex-Deputy Commissioner of Dhaka, brings significant bureaucratic experience to the Ministry of Public Administration. Similarly, Farzana Sharmin Putul, a Supreme Court lawyer and the only female MP elected from the 72 seats of Northern Bangladesh, takes on a dual role in Women’s Affairs and Social Welfare.
Furthermore, the appointment of Rehan Asif Asad as an Advisor to the Prime Minister signals a generational shift. A member of the Prime Minister’s foreign affairs cell, Asad’s elevation provides the Rajshahi region with a direct line to the highest levels of diplomatic policy-making.
Advocate Syed Shaheen Showkat, the BNP’s Divisional Organising Secretary, remarked that these appointments carry the weight of high public expectation. As the new ministers assume their duties, the focus now shifts to whether this concentrated political power will translate into the long-awaited infrastructure and economic development of the Rajshahi Division.