Senior Bangladeshi politician Nitai Roy Chowdhury has taken oath as a minister in the new government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, becoming the sole Hindu representative in the 50-member cabinet. A veteran leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Roy Chowdhury currently serves as one of its vice presidents and is regarded as a long-time loyalist of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.
Roy Chowdhury won the Magura-2 constituency in the February 12, 2026 national elections, defeating a candidate from Jamaat-e-Islami. His parliamentary career dates back to 1988, when he was first elected to the Jatiya Sangsad from the same constituency. He briefly served as Minister of Youth and Sports in 1990 during the government of Hussain Muhammad Ershad before later joining the BNP following the fall of that regime.
Born on January 7, 1949, in Hatbaria village in Magura district, Roy Chowdhury completed his early education locally before graduating from Magura Government College. He later studied law and earned a master’s degree from the University of Dhaka, eventually building a career as a lawyer alongside his political work.
An outspoken critic of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Awami League, Roy Chowdhury has frequently accused the party of undermining democratic institutions. On relations with India, he has said the BNP recognises the importance of maintaining strong ties with its neighbour, describing the relationship as mutually significant.
In his personal life, Roy Chowdhury is married to Jhuma and has three children. His daughter Nipun Roy Chowdhury is also active in BNP politics, while his son Debasish Roy Chowdhury serves as a judge in Bangladesh’s High Court.
