In a colorful ceremony, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairman Tarique Rahman was sworn in as the new Prime Minister of Bangladesh. President Mohammed Sahabuddin administered the oath of office to him at 4:12 PM on Tuesday at the South Plaza of the Parliament House.
Although the oath of office is usually administered at the Bangabhaban, a long-standing tradition was broken this time, and the ceremony was held outdoors on the South Plaza of the National Parliament House. The President first administered the oath of office to Tarique Rahman as Prime Minister, and he then signed the oath book. Afterward, the 25 ministers and 24 state ministers of the new cabinet took their oaths in turn.
Also present at the swearing-in ceremony were representatives and diplomats from 13 countries, including Om Birla, Speaker of the Indian Lok Sabha, and Bhutan’s Prime Minister Dasho Shering Tobgay. Additionally, the outgoing Chief Adviser of the interim government, Professor Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Justice, the chiefs of the three services, and political leaders attended the event. Also present at the ceremony were Tarek Rahman’s wife, Dr. Zubaida Rahman, and daughter, Jaimy Rahman.
This 49-member cabinet, formed under the leadership of Tarek Rahman, features a combination of experienced and young members. The following were sworn in as full ministers:
Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir
Amir Khurshid Mahmud Chowdhury
Salahuddin Ahmed
Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikram
Dr. A. Z. M. Zahid Hossain, etc.
In the recently held 13th National Parliamentary Election, the BNP, led by Tarique Rahman, won 209 seats, securing a single majority. This election, held under an interim government, was deemed acceptable by domestic and international observers. After living in exile for 17 years, Tarique Rahman returned to the country last December and became active in politics.
After the swearing-in, as Prime Minister, Tarique Rahman pledged to uphold the country’s democratic process and accelerate its development.