Dhaka: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairman Tarique Rahman, the elder son of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, today established his government by forming a 49-member cabinet as he took the oath of office as the prime minister for the first time.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the new cabinet comprises 25 ministers and 24 state ministers. The oath of office and secrecy was administered by President Mohammed Shahabuddin at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Complex at 4:00 pm. Post-swearing-in, Tarique Rahman formally signed the necessary documents to assume his new role.
The cabinet includes prominent figures such as Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Amir Khoshru Mahmud Chowdhury, and Salahuddin Ahmed. The state ministers include M Rashiduzzaman Millat, Anindya Islam Amit, and Md Shariful Alam, among others. Notably, the ceremony marked a departure from tradition by taking place at the Parliament Complex instead of the Presidential Palace, Bangabhaban.
Diplomatic sources reported attendance by international dignitaries, including the President of the Maldives, Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, Bhutanese Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay, and Indian Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, among others. The event was also graced by national figures like the Chief Justice, outgoing interim government Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, and other high-ranking officials.
Tarique Rahman was joined by his spouse, Dr. Zubaida Rahman, their daughter Barrister Zaima Rahman, and other family members during the ceremony. The event, attended by approximately 1200 guests, began with a recitation from the Quran and saw Rahman pledge to uphold the national constitution and state sovereignty.
The BNP secured a decisive victory in the 13th Jatiya Sangsad polls on February 12, winning 209 of the 299 seats. Their former ally, Jamaat-e-Islami, will serve as the main opposition with 68 seats, with the remaining seats won by other parties and independent candidates.