Tarique Rahman Set to Be PM as New Govt Swears In Today

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman

Bangladesh’s new government is set to begin its tenure today with the swearing-in of the Cabinet, with BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman expected to assume office as prime minister.

Newly elected Members of Parliament (MPs) will also take their oath in separate ceremonies, marking a significant departure from past practice.

For the first time since independence, the prime minister and Cabinet will be sworn in at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban instead of the presidential residence, Bangabhaban. The MPs’ oath ceremony will take place in Parliament’s Oath Room.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin will administer the oath to Cabinet members at 4pm, while Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin will swear in the MPs at 10am.

According to officials, MPs may take the oath in phases. BNP lawmakers, including Tarique Rahman, will be sworn in first, followed by members from Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, the National Citizen Party, other parties and independent MPs.

After the oath-taking, the BNP Parliamentary Board will meet to elect its Leader of the House, who will formally seek appointment as prime minister from the President upon demonstrating majority support in Parliament. The President will then appoint the Leader of the House as prime minister, after which the Cabinet will be formed.

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said the parliamentary board meeting is scheduled for late morning at Parliament.

Following formalities, the Cabinet Division will invite designated ministers to attend the swearing-in ceremony. New Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani will conduct the proceedings.

With the Cabinet’s oath, the BNP-led government will assume power from the interim administration headed by Muhammad Yunus.

In the recent parliamentary election, the party secured 212 seats, while an alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami is set to become the main opposition with 77 seats.

Under constitutional rules, MPs must be sworn in within three days of publication of the official gazette. In the absence of a Speaker and Deputy Speaker, the Chief Election Commissioner is authorised to administer the oath.

This will also be the first time a CEC administers the MPs’ oath, following the resignation of former Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury and the detention of Deputy Speaker Shamsul Haque Tuku.

Authorities have completed extensive preparations for both ceremonies. Security has been tightened across the Parliament complex, with police, Rapid Action Battalion personnel and other law enforcement agencies deployed in large numbers.

More than 1,000 domestic and foreign guests are expected to attend, including representatives from several countries. Members of the outgoing interim government will also be present.

Officials said transport, housing and other facilities for incoming ministers have been arranged, while the South Plaza and Oath Room have been renovated and decorated. Additional security equipment has been installed, damaged facilities repaired and landscaping completed to prepare the venue for the historic event.