Six new ministers join Tarique cabinet
Zakir Hossain from Dhaka
Veteran Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was sworn in as Bangladesh’s 23rd president on Friday, days after winning the country’s first contested presidential election in nearly 35 years.
The oath-taking ceremony was held at Bangabhaban, the presidential palace in Dhaka. Acting Speaker Kayser Kamal administered the oath in the presence of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, cabinet members, senior political leaders, diplomats and other dignitaries.
Fakhrul, 78, was elected president after securing 255 votes in the parliamentary election, defeating Col (retd) Oli Ahmed, the candidate of the Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party opposition alliance, who received 88 votes. The election was significant as it was the first competitive presidential poll in Bangladesh since 1991.
Before becoming president, Fakhrul served as BNP secretary general and was one of the party’s most prominent leaders during its years in opposition. A former economics teacher, he rose from grassroots politics to become a key figure in Bangladesh’s political landscape.
The presidency in Bangladesh is largely ceremonial, but the president serves as the head of state and commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
Four ministers, two state ministers take oath
Soon after Fakhrul’s swearing-in, six new members joined Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s cabinet.
Four ministers and two state ministers took oath at Bangabhaban. The new ministers are Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Barrister Andaleeve Rahman Partha, Saching Prue Jerry and M Rashiduzzaman Millat. The two state ministers are Humayun Kabir and Mohammad Shamim Kaiser Lincoln.
The cabinet expansion comes as the BNP-led government continues to reorganise its administration after returning to power.
India congratulates Fakhrul
Indian President Droupadi Murmu congratulated Mirza Fakhrul after he assumed office as Bangladesh’s president.
Murmu wished him success in his new role and expressed hope that India and Bangladesh would continue to strengthen their partnership. She highlighted the historic and cultural ties between the two neighbours and said cooperation between the two countries has expanded into areas including energy, technology, connectivity, youth affairs, health and education.
Fakhrul’s elevation marks another major political shift in Bangladesh following the BNP’s return to power and comes at a time when Dhaka and New Delhi are seeking to rebuild bilateral ties after a period of strained relations.