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Last Updated:February 17, 2026, 18:48 IST
Nitai Roy Chowdhury is a veteran Bangladeshi politician and lawyer who currently serves as Vice-Chairman of the Bangladesh ist Party (BNP)
Nitai Roy Chowdhury (left) and Tarique Rahman. (tritiyomatra.com/PTI)
Tarique Rahman was sworn in as the new Prime Minister of Bangladesh on Tuesday, days after leading his party to a landslide victory in the crucial general elections.
Among those named to be in his cabinet is Nitai Roy Chowdhury, the lone Hindu leader. All you need to know about him.
Tarique Rahman’s swearing-in
Rahman’s Bangladesh ist Party (BNP) has bagged 209 out of 297 seats, while right-wing Jamaat-e-Islami secured 68 seats in the 13th Parliamentary elections. Deposed premier Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League was barred from contesting polls.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered the oath of office to 60-year-old Rahman at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad instead of Bangabhaban, in a departure from a long-standing tradition.
Earlier in the day, Rahman was elected as leader of the parliamentary party by the Bangladesh ist Party lawmakers.
The ministers and ministers of state
Those called to be appointed as ministers were Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Salahuddin Ahmed, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, Major (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, Dr AZM Zahid Hossain, Dr Khalilur Rahman, Abdul Awal Mintoo, Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad, Mizanur Rahman Minu, Nitai Roy Chowdhury, Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, Ariful Haque Chowdhury, Zahir Uddin Swapon, Amin Ur Rashid, Afroza Khanam Rita, Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie, Asadul Habib Dulu, Md Asaduzzaman, Zakaria Taher, Dipen Dewan, Ehsanul Haque Milan, Sardar Md Sakawat Hossain, Fakir Mahbub Anam, Sheikh Robiul Alam
Those called to be appointed as state ministers are M Rashiduzzaman Millat, Anindya Islam Amit, Md Shariful Alam, Shama Obaed Islam, Sultan Salahuddin Tuku, Barrister Kaiser Kamal, Farhad Hossain Azad, Aminul Haque, Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin, Habibur Rashid, Rajib Ahsan, Abdul Bari, Mir Shahe Alam, Zonayed Saki, Ishraq Hossain, Farzana Sharmin, Sheikh Faridul Islam, Md Nurul Haque Noor, Yaser Khan Chowdhury, M Iqbal Hossain, M A Muhit, Ahmad Sohel Manjur, Bobby Hajjaj, Ali Newaz Mahmud Khayam.
Who is Nitai Roy Chowdhury?
Nitai Roy Chowdhury is a veteran Bangladeshi politician and lawyer who currently serves as a Vice Chairman of the Bangladesh ist Party (BNP). Goyeshwar Chandra Roy and Nitai Roy Chowdhury are the two Hindu candidates who won on a Bangladesh ist Party (BNP) ticket. They won from a Dhaka seat and the western Magura constituency, defeating their rivals fielded by the Jamaat-e-Islami.
On February 17, 2026, he was sworn in as a minister in the new cabinet of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, following the 13th Parliament Election.
He is a senior advisor and key strategist for the BNP’s top leadership. He was elected as a Member of Parliament from the Magura-2 constituency in 2026, defeating a candidate from the Jamaat-e-Islami.
While his specific portfolio in the 2026 cabinet is being finalised, reports suggest he may lead the Ministry of Cultural Affairs.
He previously served as the Minister of Youth and Sports (1990) under the HM Ershad government and held state ministerial roles in Education and Law.
A graduate of the University of Dhaka, he is a seasoned lawyer and has been active in the legal community for decades.
Born on January 7, 1949, in Hatbaria village, Magura, he is the father of Nipun Roy Chowdhury, who is also a prominent BNP leader and advocate.
With Agency Inputs
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First Published:
February 17, 2026, 18:17 IST
News world Lone Hindu Minister In Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman’s Cabinet: Who Is Nitai Roy Chowdhury?
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