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Andaleeve Rahman
Andaleeve Rahman
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Andaleeve Rahman Partho (born 20 April 1974)[1] is a Bangladeshi Barrister, Politician and former Member of Parliament for Bhola-1. He serves as the Chairman of Bangladesh Jatiya Party and[2][3] Principal of the British School of Law in Dhaka.[4]

Key Information

Early life

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Andaleeve Rahman Partho was born on 20 April 1974 in Dhaka, Bangladesh. His father, Naziur Rahman Manzur, was a politician and former minister who served as the founding chairman of the Bangladesh Jatiya Party and as the Mayor of Dhaka. They belonged to a Bengali Muslim family known as the Zamindars of Balia in Bhola Island. Through his paternal grandfather Bazlur Rahman, Andaleeve Rahman is a direct descendant of Munga Khan, an eighteenth-century figure who arrived in Bengal from Garmsir in Afghanistan and settled in the village of Saluka in greater Barisal. Khan's son, Shaykh Muhammad, was part of the landed aristocracy in Bhola's Balia and Gazaria areas, where the family established themselves as Zamindars.

His mother is Sheikh Reba who is from the Sheikh family of Tungipara who are deeply involved in the political arena in Bangladesh and are a Zamindar family of the Faridpur region, they trace their lineage to a Sufi Dervish, Sheikh Abdul Awal who likely came from Eastern Iran as part of a wider missionary group.[5] Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, a leading figure in the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971 and the first president of Bangladesh also hailed from this clan.[6]

Rahman Partha first studied at St. Joseph Higher Secondary School before going to London to pursue an LL.B. degree.[7][8]

Career

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Rahman passed the Bar Examination at Lincoln's Inn in the 5th. He then returned to the country and joined as an apprentice under the supervision of Barrister Rafiqul Haque and worked with him for five years. He is currently working as a lawyer in Dhaka and serves as principal of the British School of Law in Dhaka.[9]

Rahman has been actively involved in politics with his father, Naziur Rahman Manju, for over 25 years. When his father died in April 2008, Andalib was elected chairman of the Bangladesh Jatiya Party. In the ninth parliamentary election of the 24th, Bhola-1 was elected as a candidate for the four-party alliance, and Awami League candidate Yusuf Hossain defeated Humayun and won. His party boycotted the election under the leadership of the BNP in the election of 2014. He became a candidate for the unity front and the 25-party alliance in the Dhaka-1 constituency in the 11th parliamentary elections. He collected nomination papers in Dhaka-17 and Bhola-3 seats.[10][11]

Controversy

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Commentary on Adviser Asif Mahmud

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In August 2025, during the tenure of the interim government, Partho became the subject of public debate following a social media post concerning government adviser Asif Mahmud. The controversy originated from a press briefing where Adviser Asif Mahmud, responding to questions about his late-night activities, stated that he often went to Neela Market in the Purbachal 300 Feet area to eat duck meat after finishing his work. He further explained that on occasions when he found the market closed, he would go to The Westin Dhaka instead.[12]

In response to the growing discussion, Partho published a post on his verified Facebook page, writing,

"Once he searched for rice in the canteen, now he searches for duck in the Westin" (Bengali: এক সময় ভাত খুঁজতো ক্যান্টিনে, এখন হাঁস খুঁজে ওয়েস্টিনে, romanized: Ek shomoy bhat khujto canteen-e, ekhon hash khuje Westin-e).[13]

While the comment was widely shared, Partho himself faced a significant backlash. Critics accused him of elitism and snobbery, pointing out that Partho, who comes from a well-known political family, was targeting an adviser with a background in student politics who did not have the same privileged upbringing. This criticism was articulated by figures such as Sarwar Tushar of the National Citizen's Party (NCP), who accused Partho of exhibiting "blatant class hatred" and suggested he could not "accept that a student leader without any family legacy has become a minister of Bangladesh."[14] The incident broadened the public discourse from the conduct of a single adviser to include themes of class and privilege within Bangladesh's political landscape.[15]

References

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from Grokipedia

Andaleeve Rahman Partho (born 20 April 1974) is a Bangladeshi and politician who has served as chairman of the (BJP) since . He was elected as for the Bhola-1 constituency in the , becoming the youngest opposition leader in Bangladesh's during the 9th parliamentary term (2009–2014). The son of BJP founder , a former minister and mayor, Rahman Partho pursued legal education at in , qualifying as a in 1997, and later became principal of the British School of Law in . His political career highlights include contributing to the end of the army-backed through advocacy leading to the elections and managing BJP's strategic alliances and electoral participations amid Bangladesh's contentious multiparty dynamics.

Early Life and Education

Family Background

Andaleeve Rahman was born on 20 April 1974 in to , a prominent Jatiya Party , and Sheikh Reba Rahman. His father (15 March 1948 – 6 April 2008) hailed from the Taluqdar family of Balia in and participated in the 1971 as a freedom fighter. served as , and Cooperatives Minister from 1987 to 1990 under President Hussain Muhammad Ershad's regime and later as Mayor of from 1994 to 1996; he also co-founded the in 1993 after splitting from Ershad's faction. Rahman's mother, Sheikh Reba Rahman, belongs to the extended Sheikh family of Tungipara and is the niece of , Bangladesh's founding president assassinated in 1975; she is the sister of Awami League politician Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim. This maternal lineage connects Rahman to the influential Sheikh political dynasty, though his father's Jatiya Party affiliations positioned the family within Ershad-era establishment circles rather than the mainstream. Naziur Rahman Manzur had three sons, with Andaleeve as one.

Childhood and Upbringing

Andaleeve Rahman Partho was born on 20 April 1974 in , , into a politically prominent Bengali Muslim family with roots in . His father, , served as a government minister and of , exposing Rahman to an environment of public service and political discourse from an early age. Rahman spent his childhood in the affluent Dhanmondi neighborhood of , where his upbringing was characterized as cheerful and typical for a boy of his social standing. Accounts describe him as enjoying various activities but showing little enthusiasm for formal studies, nonetheless succeeding in passing his examinations through consistent effort. This period laid the foundation for his later pursuits, influenced by his family's legacy in regional and administration.

Formal Education

Andaleeve Rahman completed his secondary education at St. Joseph's High School in Dhaka. He then pursued legal studies in London, earning a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of London through Kaplan Holborn College from 1992 to 1995. Following his degree, Rahman passed the Bar examinations and was called to the Bar at Lincoln's Inn in 1997. Upon returning to Bangladesh, he apprenticed under senior barrister Rafiqul Huq for three years to complete his pupillage.

Professional Career

Andaleeve Rahman Partho completed his legal training in the , earning a from the via Kaplan Holborn College between 1992 and 1995. He was subsequently called to the bar at , qualifying as a -at-law. Upon returning to , Rahman apprenticed under senior Rafiqul Haque, serving in that capacity for three years to gain practical experience in advocacy and court procedure. This period focused on developing skills in legal argumentation and case preparation under supervision, a standard pathway for barristers entering independent practice in Bangladesh's higher system. Following his apprenticeship, Rahman established a practice as a in , appearing in courts on various matters. His professional work has intersected with political activities, including petitions to the Division of the , such as a 2018 challenge to disqualify an opposing candidate in parliamentary elections on grounds of alleged loan fraud. While specific caseload details remain limited in public records, his designation as a practicing underscores ongoing engagement in advocacy, distinct from his roles in politics and legal education. Andaleeve Rahman serves as the principal of the British School of Law (BSL) in , , an institution established in 2003 to provide legal education modeled on the British system. BSL operates as a recognized teaching center for the , offering undergraduate and postgraduate programs such as the LLB degree, which prepare students for qualification as barristers or solicitors under . In this capacity, Rahman oversees the curriculum delivery, emphasizing practical skills and ethical training to produce graduates capable of contributing to Bangladesh's legal profession. Under Rahman's , BSL has focused on bridging local legal needs with international standards, including intensive bar preparation courses that enable students to complete training in approximately four years. The claims over two decades of success in placing in legal roles, though independent verification of graduate outcomes remains limited to self-reported data from BSL. Rahman, a practicing himself, contributes to the school's mission by advocating for and in legal practice, as stated in institutional materials he has endorsed. Rahman's role extends to public engagements at BSL, such as presiding over events like the 2024 Gala Night, which highlight the school's commitment to fostering future legal professionals. While BSL's affiliation with the lends academic credibility, the institution operates primarily as a private entity in , raising questions about accessibility and alignment with national legal education standards dominated by public universities like the . No peer-reviewed studies assess BSL's impact on 's , but its model targets students seeking exposure to traditions amid the country's mixed legal heritage.

Political Involvement

Entry into Politics and BJP Affiliation

Andaleeve Rahman began his involvement in Bangladeshi politics in the early 2000s, assisting his father, , who founded the (BJP) in 1993 as a conservative splinter from the larger Jatiya Party. Rahman contributed to his father's successful campaign in the Bhola-1 constituency during the 2001 general election, marking his initial active role in party activities prior to formal leadership. Following Naziur Rahman Manzur's death from on April 6, 2008, Andaleeve Rahman was elected chairman of the BJP, succeeding his father and solidifying his affiliation with the party as its hereditary leader. The BJP, positioned as a centre-right entity emphasizing nationalist and conservative principles, had been led by Manzur since its inception, and Rahman's ascension maintained the family's control over its direction and alliances, including initial participation in opposition coalitions against the government. Under Rahman's chairmanship, the BJP aligned with the (BNP)-led 20-party opposition alliance starting around 2012, though this partnership later dissolved in 2019 amid disagreements over electoral participation. His leadership focused on sustaining the party's presence in , leveraging familial political roots established by his father, a former freedom fighter and MP.

Parliamentary Tenure (2009–2014)

Andaleeve Rahman Partho was elected to the Jatiya Sangsad on 29 December 2008 as the candidate for the Bogura-6 constituency, representing the Jatiya Party, securing victory in the ninth parliamentary election. His term spanned from 25 January 2009 to the dissolution of the house on 24 January 2014, during which the Jatiya Party held 27 seats as part of the Grand Alliance led by the Awami League, though Rahman often positioned himself critically toward the government. Throughout his tenure, Rahman actively participated in parliamentary proceedings, delivering speeches that highlighted issues and parliamentary . On 27 September 2011, he addressed the on democratic restoration following the end of the caretaker government era. In 2012, he criticized the Speaker's response to the BNP's of sessions, describing it as partisan rather than impartial. Rahman's interventions frequently drew rebukes from ruling party members. On 17 June 2013, during a debate, he targeted leaders, prompting backlash and advice to reflect on his father's legacy before critiquing senior figures. Subsequently, on 24 June 2013, he called for a to regulate offensive language in , amid ongoing disputes over derogatory terms like "chudurbudur" used against opponents. In late 2013, he spoke on the economic contributions of remittances from Bangladeshi expatriates, emphasizing their role in and development. His tenure reflected the Jatiya Party's ambiguous role, allying with the government yet voicing opposition concerns, which underscored internal factionalism within the party. No major legislative initiatives directly attributed to Rahman are prominently recorded, with his prominence stemming primarily from rhetorical contributions rather than committee leadership or bill sponsorship.

Leadership of Bangladesh Jatiya Party

Andaleeve Rahman Partho succeeded his father, Naziur Rahman, as chairman of the Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP) in April 2008 following the latter's death. The BJP, a splinter faction from the Jatiya Party founded by Naziur Rahman in 2001 due to policy differences with Hussain Muhammad Ershad, positioned itself as a center-right conservative alternative emphasizing nationalist principles. Under Rahman's leadership, the BJP joined the BNP-led 20-party opposition alliance to challenge the ruling , participating in coordinated protests and electoral strategies against perceived authoritarianism. However, internal disputes prompted the party's withdrawal from the alliance in May 2019, with Rahman citing unfulfilled commitments on seat-sharing and joint action plans. The BJP maintained criticism of BNP decisions, such as joining parliament in 2021 despite ongoing boycotts, reflecting Rahman's emphasis on principled opposition over tactical compromises. In the post-2024 interim government period after Sheikh Hasina's ouster, Rahman directed the BJP to prioritize national parliamentary elections over local polls, informing the administration on February 15, 2025, that premature local elections could undermine democratic reforms. He advocated for constitutional provisions punishing against , proposing additions to deter derogatory remarks amid rising religious sensitivities. These positions aligned the party sporadically with BNP demands for election timelines while preserving operational independence. Rahman's tenure has been marked by the party's marginal electoral presence, with no significant parliamentary seats secured independently post-2014, yet sustaining relevance through alliance maneuvers and public advocacy on and issues.

Post-Parliamentary Activities and Alliances

Following the end of the 9th in January 2014, Andaleeve Rahman Partho maintained his role as chairman of the (BJP), directing the party's opposition efforts against the administration. The BJP remained affiliated with the BNP-led 20-party alliance during this period, enabling coordinated anti-government activities. In the December 2018 general elections, Rahman ran as a BNP-nominated candidate in the constituency amid allegations of polling irregularities, including the forcible removal of his agents from voting centers. On May 6, 2019, the BJP announced its withdrawal from the BNP-led 20-party alliance, citing irreconcilable differences over multiple issues, particularly the alliance's stance on participating in sessions and broader electoral strategies. This departure positioned the BJP as an independent opposition entity, though it continued to critique government policies without formal coalitions until the political upheaval of 2024. In the wake of Sheikh Hasina's on August 5, 2024, following widespread protests, Rahman's BJP aligned with reformist demands shared by other opposition groups, including the BNP. The party endorsed calls for a election to incorporate the July Proclamation into constitutional amendments before national polls, opposed premature elections, and pressed the Yunus-led interim government to schedule general elections promptly to facilitate a national unity administration.

Controversies and Criticisms

Andaleeve Rahman Partho, chairman of the , was arrested on 25 July 2024 by the of from his residence in the capital's Gulshan area. The arrest was linked to allegations of inciting during the quota protests, which had begun in early July over job quotas favoring descendants of 1971 war veterans and evolved into broader anti-government unrest resulting in over 200 deaths. He faced charges in a case involving and attacks on government property, including the Setu Bhaban building. Produced before a court later that day, Partho was granted a five-day remand for . On 3 August 2024, the court rejected his bail application and ordered him sent to jail custody in connection with the same case. The detention occurred amid a government crackdown on opposition figures and protesters, with hundreds arrested nationwide in the protest's aftermath. Following Hasina's resignation and flight from on 5 August 2024 due to the escalating protests, a court granted Partho on 6 August 2024, allowing his release after approximately two weeks in custody. No further arrests of Partho related to the 2024 protests have been reported as of October 2025.

Allegations of Dynasty Politics and Corruption

Andaleeve Rahman Partho assumed the chairmanship of the Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP) following the death of his father, Naziur Rahman Manzur, who had led the party faction since its formation as a splinter from H.M. Ershad's Jatiya Party in the late 1990s. Manzur, a close Ershad associate, served as a cabinet minister during Ershad's presidency (1982–1990) and as Mayor of Dhaka City Corporation from 1991 to 1994. This familial succession has drawn criticism for exemplifying dynasty politics in Bangladesh, where political leadership is often transferred within families, limiting intra-party competition and merit-based advancement. Analysts note that such patterns, including in the BJP, contribute to entrenched elite control, with Rahman's elevation bypassing broader party elections or primaries. Rahman's marriage to Sheikh Shaira Rahman, daughter of Awami League politician Sheikh Helal (a cousin of former Sheikh Hasina), has further fueled perceptions of dynastic alliances across parties, blending Jatiya Party heritage with ties to the influential Sheikh family. Critics argue this network exemplifies how family connections sustain political influence, enabling access to resources and coalitions irrespective of ideological consistency, as evidenced by the BJP's shifting alliances with both BNP-led oppositions and government coalitions between 2001 and 2024. Regarding corruption, Rahman has not faced formal charges from bodies like the Anti-Corruption Commission, but detractors have questioned the sources of his family's wealth, attributing it to gains during Ershad's regime, which institutionalized through and state to loyalists like Manzur. Ershad's government was marked by scandals, with billions in public funds allegedly siphoned, though specific links to the Rahman family remain unverified assertions in public discourse rather than adjudicated claims. Rahman himself has positioned the BJP as an voice, advocating probes into laundered assets from the ousted era, which some view as deflection amid scrutiny of his lineage's Ershad-era benefits.

Public Commentary and Backlash

Andaleeve Rahman Partho has encountered political backlash primarily from affiliates for his opposition rhetoric. In June 2013, after Partho publicly criticized several leaders, ruling party lawmakers in condemned him, with one member urging him to study his Nazmul Huda's contentious history under the Ershad to understand political accountability. His Jatiya Party's withdrawal from the BNP-led 20-party in May 2019, amid disputes over participating in elections despite the , elicited accusations of from members who viewed the move as prioritizing personal electoral gains over unified opposition . Public commentary has occasionally highlighted Partho's political legacy as emblematic of dynastic entrenchment in Bangladeshi , with detractors noting his of from his father, a key Ershad-era figure, as enabling unearned influence amid broader critiques of hereditary power structures. Partho's pointed remarks, such as a 2024 post deriding a public figure's alleged shift from modest canteen meals to upscale dining, sparked and for reflecting elitist detachment from realities.

Personal Life and Public Image

Family and Relationships

Andaleeve Rahman Partho is the son of , a former Bangladeshi minister under military rule, mayor of , and founder-chairman of the , who died in April 2008. His mother, Sheikh Reba Rahman, survives him. Rahman has at least one brother, Ashikur Rahman, a senior economist who resigned from the in December 2013 citing ideological differences with party leadership. Rahman is married to Sheikh Shaira Sharmin, daughter of Sheikh Helal, a cousin of former and a prominent figure. The couple has at least two daughters, including a younger one who attempted to travel abroad with her mother in May 2025 but was barred by immigration authorities at Dhaka's . This marital connection ties Rahman to the extended Sheikh family, which has dominated Bangladeshi politics through the , though his own political affiliations have historically opposed that party.

Public Persona and Media Presence

Andaleeve Rahman Partho projects a public image as an outspoken and tech-savvy political figure, often leveraging digital platforms for campaigning and . As chairman of the , he has utilized social media and online spaces to engage supporters, notably during the 2018 elections where he advocated for technology-driven outreach. His posts frequently highlight contrasts between his humble origins—searching for rice in canteens—and current lifestyle pursuits, such as hunting ducks at upscale venues like the Westin hotel, reflecting a narrative of personal triumph amid political turbulence. Rahman maintains an active media presence through regular television interviews on Bangladeshi channels, addressing topics from inefficiencies to interim government support. Appearances on outlets like Channel 24 in February 2025 criticized police conduct, while an August 2024 ATN Bangla segment urged assistance for the post-protest administration. He has also participated in cultural events covered by media, such as speaking at the Garo community's festival in October 2025, emphasizing ethnic harmony. Internationally, Rahman has engaged in pointed exchanges, including a December 2024 viral clip accusing Indian media of inflaming Muslim-Hindu tensions in Bangladesh and deeming India's foreign policy a failure. In a December 2024 Deutsche Welle interview, as a center-right leader, he raised alarms about eroding human rights under the Yunus-led interim government, highlighting precedents like media restrictions. These interactions underscore a persona blending assertive nationalism with critiques of both domestic and regional actors, often amplified through confrontational rhetoric in media forums.

References

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