Bangladesh starts new journey with PM Tarique
Staff Reporter :
Bangladesh entered a new chapter in its political history on Tuesday as BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman was sworn in as the country’s 11th prime minister, following his party’s landslide victory in the 13th National Parliamentary Election.
The oath-taking of the new cabinet took place shortly after his swearing-in.
The election was held 18 months after the student-led July Uprising brought down the Bangladesh Awami League government led by Sheikh Hasina.
Subsequently, an interim administration headed by Muhammad Yunus assumed office, raising public expectations for structural reforms and accountable governance.
With the formation of the newly elected government, Bangladesh has formally returned to democratic rule.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered the oath at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban at around 4:00pm. In addition to taking the oath of office as prime minister, Tarique also took the oath of secrecy and later signed both documents.
A 50-member cabinet – comprising the prime minister, 25 ministers and 24 state ministers – was sworn in.
The last time the BNP formed a government in 2001, the cabinet consisted of 46 members. The new cabinet features a mix of experienced leaders and fresh faces.
Breaking with long-standing tradition, the ceremony was held at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban instead of Bangabhaban, marking a symbolic shift in the country’s political proceedings.
Diplomatic sources confirmed the presence of several foreign dignitaries, including Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, Bhutanese Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay, Indian Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Pakistan’s Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary, Nepal’s Foreign Minister Bala Nanda Sharma, and Sri Lanka’s Minister Nalinda Jayatissa, among others.
Also present at the packed and vibrant South Plaza were outgoing chief adviser Muhammad Yunus and members of his interim council, the chief justice, the chief election commissioner, Supreme Court judges, members of parliament, political leaders, chiefs of the armed forces, diplomats, senior journalists, and high-ranking civil and military officials.
Tarique Rahman attended the ceremony alongside his wife, Dr. Zubaida Rahman, and their daughter, Barrister Zaima Rahman, as well as other family members. Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani conducted the proceedings.
The eldest son of former president Ziaur Rahman and former prime minister Khaleda Zia, Tarique returned to Bangladesh on 25 December after nearly 18 years in exile in the United Kingdom, receiving a grand welcome.
Within two months, he led the BNP to victory in the 13th parliamentary polls held on 12 February, securing an absolute majority with 209 seats.
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, formerly allied with the BNP, won 68 seats and is expected to serve as the main opposition. The remaining seats were captured by other parties and independent candidates.
Earlier in the day, newly elected lawmakers were sworn in by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin at the Oath Room of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, formally inaugurating the new parliamentary term.