Bangladesh's Prime Minister-designate Sheikh Hasina has invited some 25 party MPs to become Cabinet Ministers and 11 as State Ministers in her new ministry, while dropping many of her old colleagues and bringing in several new faces, it was announced on Wednesday
The new cabinet of Sheikh Hasina, following her Awami League securing its fourth straight term in the January 7 elections, will be sworn-in by President Mohammed Shahabuddin at the Bangabhaban here on Thursday evening.
At a briefing on Wednesday, Cabinet Division Secretary Md Mahbub Hossain said the new cabinet will comprise of 25 ministers, and there will be 11 state ministers and deputy ministers.
After the sworn-in ceremony, the Prime Minister will distribute the portfolios among the ministers, state ministers and deputy ministers of the new cabinet.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is retaining some trusted associates, including some AL heavyweights, but may change their portfolios.
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said he received a phone call from the Cabinet Division on Wednesday evening.
"I was told to take the oath on Thursday,without mentioning any ministry,” he said. Local Government Minister Tajul Islam also said he received a similar call without confirmation on which ministry he would get.
Law Minister Anisul Huq, Education Minister Dipu Moni, Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun, and Information Minister Hasan Mahmud also said that they received calls for the swearing in.
There were speculations that Salman F. Rahman, the Prime Minister’s advisor on private industry and investment, may get a berth in the new cabinet, but he told bdnews24.com that he was not invited to join Hasina’s new council of ministers.
Jahangir Kabir Nanak, who had worked as the State Minister for Local Government in the 2009-2014 government but did not get a berth in the next government, also said that he had also received a call.
Obaidul Quader, A.K.M Mozammel Huq, Muhammad Faruk Khan, and Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali are among the new cabinet members who will be assigned to key ministries.
Awami League General Secretary Quader told IANS that he retained his berth as Road Transport and Bridges Minister.
Others who have been selected as ministers in the new cabinet are Md Abdus Shahid, Sadhan Chandra Mazumder, R.A.M. Ubaidul Muktadir Chowdhury, Md Abdur Rahman, Narayan Chandra Chanda, Abdus Salam, Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury, Farhad Hossain, Md Faridul Huq Khan, Md Zillul Hakim, Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Nazmul Hasan.
Yafesh Osman and Dr Samanta Lal Sen will be under the technocrat quota.
Those have been invited to take oath as state ministers are Simin Hossain Rimi, daughter of Tajuddin Ahmedm a close associate of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Nasrul Hamid, Junayed Ahmed Palak, Mohammad Ali Arafat, Md Mohibbur Rahman, Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, Zahid Faruque, Kujendra Lal Tripura, Begum Rumana Ali, Shafiqur Rahman Chowdhury, and Ahsanul Islam Tito.
Communal violence perpetrators in Murshidabad mainly outsiders, says Trinamool MP
After the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) were deployed in the district on Saturday night -- with a concentration on the nine most troubled pockets -- the members of the families affected by the violence have started coming out and narrating their horrific experiences during the last few days.
Murshidabad violence: Hindus fleeing in boats, take shelter in school; Suvendu Adhikari posts videos
Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, in a post on his X handle, said that more than 400 Hindus have been forced to flee from Dhulian, Murshidabad, cross a river and take shelter in school.
Experts stress need for sustained talks between India, B’desh to reinforce mutual trust
Amid emerging regional challenges and controversial remarks from Bangladesh's interim government leadership and others, experts on South Asian affairs have emphasised the need for continued dialogue and cooperation between India and the neighbouring country to strengthen mutual trust and ensure long-term regional stability.
Assam Rifles, DRI seize drugs worth Rs 6 crore in Tripura, two held
The Assam Rifles in a joint operation with the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), on Saturday, recovered 60,000 highly addictive methamphetamine tablets valued at more than Rs 6 crore, defence sources said.
State reels under tragedy as 3 bodies recovered in 24 Hours
In a grim turn of events, Tripura witnessed a series of tragedies within a span of 24 hours, as three separate deaths—a suspected murder, a possible drug overdose, and a suicide—have cast a pall over the state.
High-Ranking Police Officer's escort vehicle hits family in Udaipur
A serious road accident involving a high-ranking police officer’s escort vehicle left a young couple and their child critically injured on Saturday. The incident took place on the Agartala-Sabroom National Highway in the Chhanban Housing Board area of Udaipur.
Seven cops injured during anti-Waqf Act rally in Tripura
At least seven policemen sustained injuries on Saturday during a clash between the security personnel and the agitators who held a protest rally against the recently enacted Waqf (Amendment) Act in northern Tripura’s Kailashahar under Unakoti district.
Rose Valley Ponzi scam: Centre hands over Rs 515 crore to help 7.5 lakh victims
The government on Saturday handed over Rs 515.31 crore to Justice D.K. Seth (Retd), Chairman of the Asset Disposal Committee which was formed for the purpose of restitution of properties to legitimate investors in the Rose Valley Ponzi scam.