TDS Desk:

Emerging from the political upheaval of 1975, Bangladesh faced profound uncertainty. Successive coups, power struggles, and administrative paralysis had left the state apparatus fractured. Amid this crisis, Ziaur Rahman assumed power and adopted a carefully planned and inclusive strategy to rebuild the state. By uniting divergent political ideologies, freedom fighters, technocrats, and minority representatives, he created a broad framework aimed at restoring state stability, strengthening administrative efficiency, and reorganising the fractured state structure into a functional whole.

A key element of the strategic path Ziaur Rahman chose for state reconstruction was the formation of his cabinet. His cabinet did not rely on a single framework; it was a calculated blend of political reconciliation, administrative competence, and inclusive representation. Between 1977 and 1981, his administration brought together figures from diverse political backgrounds, ideologies, and social contexts to work together within the cabinet.

At the core of this strategy was an effort to reduce political divisions. Following independence, deep rifts between Awami League–centred politics and post–1975 military rule had left the country fragmented. Ziaur Rahman, in an effort to bridge that gap, actively incorporated opposing political forces into the structures of state power. His cabinet included individuals previously associated with the Awami League government, notably MR Siddiqui and KM Obaidur Rahman.

KM Obaidur Rahman had held senior positions within the Awami League both before and after independence. As a Dhaka University student, he served as president of the Chhatra League and was elected general secretary of the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) in 1962–63. He won a seat in the Pakistan National Assembly in 1970 and remained active in Awami League policymaking after liberation. He was later elected to the Pakistan National Assembly in the 1970 elections and remained connected to the Awami League’s policymaking circles after independence. In the context of the post–1975 political reorganisation, Ziaur Rahman sought to bring experienced leaders from diverse political backgrounds into the state structures. Including KM Obaidur Rahman — a senior Awami League politician — into his administration, illustrated Zia’s strategy of political reconciliation and inclusive state governance.

Ziaur Rahman also brought forward individuals who had previously been active in different political traditions. A key example is Moudud Ahmed, who, before aligning with Zia, had been active in the politics of the National Awami Party (NAP–Bhashani) and was active in the opposition politics led by Maulana Bhashani during the 1960s.

During the post-1975 political reorganisation, he first joined JAGODAL (Jatiyatabadi Ganatantrik Dal), a party established under Ziaur Rahman’s initiative. When JAGODAL was dissolved and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) formed in 1978, Moudud Ahmed became part of the new party’s senior leadership. He served as a member of Ziaur Rahman’s cabinet and later as deputy prime minister.

Ziaur Rahman’s cabinet also included figures whose 1971 roles remained controversial. The most debated case was Shah Azizur Rahman, who had taken a pro–Pakistan stance in international forums during 1971. Under Zia, he first served as a minister and later as prime minister.

The cabinet also included figures such as Abdur Rahman Biswas and Abdul Alim, whose pre–1971 activities were contentious. Including such figures reflected a deliberate effort to move beyond past divisions, broaden participation in governance, and bring diverse political currents together to achieve effective coordination.

Ziaur Rahman also brought forward freedom fighters. Lt Col (retd) Akbar Hossain (Bir Protik) and Lt Col (retd) Jafar Imam (Bir Bikrom) were included in his cabinet. Alongside them, experienced figures representing military expertise, such as former Navy Chief Nurul Huq, were also incorporated. This approach maintained a symbolic continuity of the Liberation War while balancing military and civilian administration.

Another deliberate strategy of Ziaur Rahman was the inclusion of technocrats and experts. The economy was weak, food shortages were acute, and dependence on foreign aid was high. In this context, he appointed economists, administrative specialists, and professionals beyond party politics. Assigning technocrats to key posts, including in the finance ministry, aimed to establish results–driven governance. Mirza Nurul Huda, an experienced economist and skilled administrator, exemplified this approach. He played a crucial role in financial management, budget formulation, and economic reconstruction.

Ziaur Rahman also entrusted M Saifur Rahman with key responsibilities. He headed the commerce ministry from December 27, 1976 to April 30, 1980 — a period when the state faced major challenges in foreign trade, export management, and market expansion. He later led the finance ministry from April 25, 1980 to January 11, 1982. His role in financial management, budget formulation, and economic policymaking exemplified the competency–driven governance Ziaur Rahman sought to establish.

Another aspect of Ziaur Rahman’s cabinet strategy was ensuring social and geographic diversity. By including representatives from minority communities and the hill tracts in the advisory council and cabinet, he sought to increase participation from different identities and regions in central decision–making. In line with this approach, his cabinet included figures such as Rajmata Benita Roy and Aung Shwe Prue Chowdhury. Their inclusion reflected an effort to make the presence of marginalised and underrepresented groups visible within the sphere of governance.

Analysts consider Ziaur Rahman’s strategy to have been deeply pragmatic. Within the framework of ‘Bangladeshi nationalism,’ he sought to redefine post-Liberation War political divisions. Under this concept, the Liberation War issue was not treated as the sole criterion of political legitimacy; instead, state interests, development, and stability were prioritised. After the 1979 general election, the withdrawal of martial law and the formation of his cabinet from elected parliamentarians represented the culmination of this strategy. Through this, Ziaur Rahman signalled a move towards an elected political framework. A cabinet formed through elections provided broader legitimacy and further strengthened the institutional foundations of the country’s governance.