Tarique Rahman sworn in as Prime Minister, unveils 49-member Cabinet

Tarique Rahman, Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and eldest son of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, was sworn in today as Prime Minister for the first time, forming a 49-member cabinet.

The new cabinet comprises 25 full ministers and 24 state ministers.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered the oath of office and secrecy to the Prime Minister and his cabinet members at 4:00pm at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Complex. Following the ceremony, Tarique Rahman signed the official oath documents.

In a departure from longstanding tradition, the swearing-in was held at the Parliament complex rather than at Bangabhaban, the official residence of the President.

The ceremony drew a wide array of distinguished guests, including President Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives; Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay; Indian Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla; Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal; Nepal’s Foreign Minister Bala Nanda Sharma; and Sri Lanka’s Minister of Health and Mass Media Nalinda Jayatissa, among others.

Also present were the Chief Justice, outgoing Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and members of his interim advisory council, the Chief Election Commissioner, Supreme Court judges, members of parliament, leaders of various political parties, the chiefs of the three armed services, diplomats, senior journalists, and high-ranking civil and military officials.

Tarique Rahman’s wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman, their daughter Barrister Zaima Rahman, and other family members attended the ceremony.

Wearing a black striped suit and white shirt, the new Prime Minister appeared confident as he entered the South Plaza, where around 1,200 invited guests had gathered. He received a standing ovation upon arrival. President Shahabuddin entered shortly afterward, and the ceremony commenced with a recitation from the Holy Quran.

Tarique Rahman took the oath first, pledging to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution and uphold the sovereignty of the state. Cabinet Secretary Dr Nasimul Gani conducted the proceedings.

The 13th Jatiya Sangsad elections were held on February 12 in 299 constituencies alongside a referendum. The BNP secured a commanding victory, winning 209 seats with its electoral symbol, the “Sheaf of Paddy.”

Its former ally Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami emerged as the main opposition in parliament with 68 seats, while other parties and independent candidates claimed the remaining seats.

Earlier in the day, supporters from different parts of the capital marched in processions, chanting slogans in support of Tarique Rahman, widely regarded by his followers as a leader of the younger generation.