Bangladesh’s political landscape has witnessed another surprise move as renowned economist and politician Reza Kibria has officially joined the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Confirming the matter to Jugantor on Wednesday, Kibria said he has already filled out the party’s primary membership form and will formally join within a few days. He also expressed his intention to contest the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election from the Habiganj-1 constituency under BNP’s traditional election symbol, the ‘Sheaf of Paddy’. Kibria, the son of former finance minister Shah AMS Kibria, previously served as General Secretary of Gono Forum and later as the convener of the Gono Odhikar Parishad, led by former DUCSU VP Nurul Haque Nur. In 2018, he contested the general election as a candidate of the Jatiya Oikya Front alliance under the same symbol. However, in recent years he distanced himself from active politics following internal divisions within his former party. His re-entry into the BNP marks a significant political development ahead of the next national polls.