Photo: Collected
Bangladesh Awami League (AL) is set to formally begin its governance as the ruling party for the fourth straight term when the new cabinet swears in this evening, following the party’s landslide victory in the recently held 12th parliamentary elections.
Sources in the Cabinet Division have confirmed that the inauguration of the cabinet is scheduled to take place at the presidential office of Bangabhaban at 7:00pm today (11 January 2024). This pivotal event will mark the commencement of the new government's journey, involving the allocation of ministerial portfolios and publication of the relevant gazette.
It has been known that the new cabinet is being formed with 36 members initially.
Apart from Sheikh Hasina as the prime minister, there will be 25 ministers and 11 state ministers in this cabinet this time. Cabinet Secretary Mahbub
Hossain informed this during a press briefing at the Secretariat on Wednesday. In the meantime, calls have already been made from the Cabinet Division with invitation for the newly-elected lawmakers to take oath as the new cabinet members.
A good number of the old faces are staying put in the new cabinet as well, while some other members of the parliament (MPs), who are not in the current cabinet, are also receiving calls.
The names in the list of full ministers include AKM Mozammel Haque, Obaidul Quader, Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, Dr. Dipu Moni, Tajul Islam, Abul Hasan Mahmud Ali, Sadhan Chandra Majumdar, Anisul Haque and Dr. Hasan Mahmud.
Besides, Abdus Shahid, Colonel (retd) Faruq Khan, Ubaidul Moktadir Chowdhury, Abdur Rahman, Narayan Chandra Chand, Abdus Salam, Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nawfel, Farhad Hossain, Md. Faridul Haque Khan, Jillul Hakim, Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Nazmul Hasan Papon, architect Yafes Osman and Samanta Lal Sen have also been named as full ministers. Among those named, architect Yafes Osman and Samanta Lal Sen are ministers in the technocrat quota.
Meanwhile, the state ministers are - Begum Simin Hossain (Rimi), Nasrul Hamid, Junaid Ahmed Palak, Mohammad Ali Arafat, Md. Mohibbur Rahman, Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, Zahid Faruq, Kujendra Lal Tripura, Begum Rumana Ali, Shafiqur Rahman Chowdhury and Ahsanul Islam (Titu).
Reports from various sources suggest that the upcoming cabinet is poised to unveil surprises in both nominations and appointments, potentially introducing several new faces. Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader mentioned that the forthcoming cabinet in the twelfth national parliament would comprise a blend of experienced incumbents and fresh talent. However, the ultimate decision regarding the cabinet's size rests solely with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The Cabinet Division has made significant strides in preparing for the ministers' swearing-in ceremony. Cabinet Secretary Mahbub Hossain has affirmed the readiness for the event, saying, "The elected members of parliament took oath on Wednesday (January 10). In that context, we are preparing to organise the swearing-in ceremony at Bangabhaban at 7 pm on Thursday."
Simultaneously, President Md Sahabuddin has taken the decision to appoint Sheikh Hasina, a trusted member commanding the majority in the 12th National Parliament, as the Prime Minister. He has also granted his approval for the establishment of a new cabinet under her leadership.
A notification issued by the Cabinet Division on Wednesday (January 10) underscored this decision. The notification explicitly referenced Clause (3) of Article 56 of the Constitution of Bangladesh, emphasising that the collective support and confidence of the majority of members within the 12th National Parliament have resulted in the appointment of Sheikh Hasina as the Prime Minister. Subsequently, the President has granted consent for the formation of a new cabinet under her leadership in accordance with constitutional provisions.
The upcoming cabinet of the Awami League is poised to introduce a significant number of new faces, potentially including newly elected Members of Parliament. Moreover, there's speculation about possible promotions for several state ministers and deputy ministers.
Jahangir Kabir Nanak, an Awami League presidium member, expressed to The Daily Messenger, "The Prime Minister is assembling an impressive cabinet. It will encompass a blend of seasoned veterans and fresh talent. This cabinet is envisioned to comprise architects dedicated to shaping a Smart Bangladesh."
Reports suggest that the Awami League president has personally selected and nominated individuals during the recent parliamentary elections, choosing candidates with substantial experience across various sectors. The Prime Minister may deploy these selected individuals in specific sectors where their expertise can be utilized effectively.
However, there is scope for cabinet expansion. In that case, those who are likely to be included in the new cabinet are- former bureaucrat and private secretary of the Prime Minister Alauddin Ahmed Chowdhury Nasim, Professor Mohammad Ali Arafat, former Chief Secretary Abul Kalam Azad, former PSC Chairman Mohammad Sadiq, IEB President Engineer Abdus Sabur, Professor Dr Pran Gopal Dutta, energy expert and law professor Selim Mahmud, former chairman of Biman Sajjadul Hasan and Mashrafe bin Mortuza may come to the new cabinet.
Apart from this, agriculturalist AFM Bahauddin Nashim, Mirza Azam, Abu Saeed Al Mahmud Swapan, Rumana Ali, Mayez Uddin Sharif Ruel and many others are in discussion. Former Minister of State for Youth and Sports Biren Shikder and former Minister Shajahan Khan also come to this cabinet.
The swearing-in ceremony for the winning MPs took place on Wednesday morning, marking the commencement of the 12th National Parliament. Following this, the first meeting of the Awami League's parliamentary party convened, during which the party's president and incumbent Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, was re-elected as the leader.
Securing an absolute victory in the twelfth parliamentary elections, the Awami League is set to form the government for the fourth consecutive term. This triumph also solidifies Sheikh Hasina's position as Prime Minister for the fourth consecutive time and the fifth time overall in the country's leadership.
In anticipation of the new Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of State, and Deputy Ministers assuming office, the Directorate of Public Vehicles has readied approximately 50 vehicles. Responding to the Cabinet Division's requisition, the Ministry of Public Administration has ensured the preparedness of these vehicles through the Transport Pool.
As per Article 56 of the Constitution, the Cabinet composition includes the Prime Minister alongside other Ministers, Ministers of State, and Deputy Ministers, as determined by the Prime Minister. The President holds the authority to appoint the Prime Minister and other officials. Notably, a minimum of nine out of ten Cabinet members must be chosen from among the Members of Parliament. Additionally, a maximum of 10 percent of the Cabinet can comprise technocrats.
President Md Sahabuddin is scheduled to administer the oath to the Prime Minister on Thursday evening at Bangabhaban. Subsequently, the President will administer the oath to the appointed Ministers, State Ministers, and Deputy Ministers. Following the swearing-in ceremony, an official notification will be issued, designating offices within the cabinet department.
Upon the oath-taking of the new cabinet, they will assume governance, superseding the previous cabinet. Until the new cabinet is sworn in, the previous one will continue to function. However, with the swearing-in of the new cabinet, the tenure of the previous cabinet will automatically conclude.
After the resignation of two technocrat ministers and a state minister, the current cabinet has 44 members besides the prime minister. Among them, 23 ministers, 18 state ministers and three deputy ministers.
Messenger/Disha
