United News of Bangladesh

Leader of the Opposition and Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Wednesday said not taking oath as a member of the State Reform Council is tantamount to dishonouring ‘July 2024’. “We believe that not taking oath as a member of the State Reform Council amounts to insulting July. It is because of July that this election was held and Mr. Tarique Rahman became the Prime Minister, and I became the Opposition Leader. Without July, could we have reached this position” he said.

National Citizen Party convener Nahid Islam has criticised the appointment of National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman as Foreign Minister in the newly formed BNP government, saying it casts doubt on the impartiality of the national election and the interim administration. Talking to reporters after taking oath as Member of Parliament, Nahid said Khalilur’s appointment in the cabinet of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) substantiates long -tanding allegations of ‘election engineering’. “For the sake of neutrality, student advisers were asked to resign and they did so. But Khalilur Rahman joining the BNP cabinet proves that he had been working for a particular party while serving in the interim government,” Nahid said. Nahid alleged that BNP secured a two-thirds majority by strategically defeating his party in several constituencies. “This has now created an opportunity for them to complicate the constitutional reform process.” Referring to the oath-taking ceremony, Nahid said members were scheduled to take oath as part of the Constitutional Reform Council at the same venue and before the same authority immediately after being sworn in as MPs. BNP lawmakers, however, declined to take that oath, arguing that the Constitution does not provide a legal basis for such a council. “This is tantamount to disregarding the mandate of the referendum. The July Charter clearly mentions the formation of a Constitutional Reform Council. By signing that charter and now refusing to take oath, the government has broken its commitment on the very first day,” Nahid claimed. He warned that BNP’s refusal to join the reform council has created fresh legal complications, as the July Charter provides the basis for both the council and the referendum’s legitimacy. Nahid urged BNP MPs to take oath in the Constitutional Reform Council without delay to resolve the crisis.

The BNP-led new government officially began its journey on Tuesday under the leadership of party Chairman Tarique Rahman, marking the BNP’s return to power after nearly two decades following a landslide victory in the 13th national election. Among the 50-member cabinet, Tarique Rahman was sworn in as Prime Minister, followed by the ministers and state ministers, at a ceremony held at the South Plaza of the National Parliament complex in the afternoon. President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered the oath. Tarique Rahman: From London exile to Bangladesh’s Prime Minister With this, Tarique became Bangladesh’s 11th Prime Minister in the country’s renewed democratic journey after the 2024 uprising, while the BNP assumed state power again after over 19 years. Breaking with long-standing tradition, the oath-taking ceremony was held at the parliament complex instead of Bangabhaban. The programme began with the national anthem, followed by recitation from the Holy Quran. In last Thursday’s national election, the BNP won 209 seats, while its alliance partners secured three more. Nearly 150 of the winning candidates were elected to parliament for the first time. Leaders and representatives from several countries attended the ceremony, alongside outgoing interim government Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, members of the advisory council, the Chief Justice, Election Commission officials, senior political leaders, chiefs of the three services, diplomats, journalists, and high-ranking civil and military officials. Diplomatic sources said leaders from 13 countries, including China, India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Malaysia, Brunei, Sri Lanka, Nepal, the Maldives, and Bhutan—were invited to attend the ceremony. Among the guests, India’s Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla represented New Delhi. Tarique Rahman arrived at the venue at 3:58 pm with his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and daughter Barrister Zaima Rahman, receiving a standing ovation from the audience. President Mohammed Shahabuddin came to the venue a few minutes later, and the formal proceedings began. The President first administered the oath and secrecy pledge to Tarique as the Prime Minister of the new government. Tarique Rahman sworn in as Prime Minister After congratulating the new Prime Minister, the names of cabinet members were announced. The President then administered the oath and secrecy pledge to the ministers, followed by the state ministers, concluding the ceremony. Cabinet Composition Apart from Tarique, the new government includes 25 ministers and 24 state ministers, with a strong presence of new faces. Among the ministers, 16 are serving for the first time, including the Prime Minister himself, who had never previously been a minister, state minister, or MP. Nine ministers have prior cabinet experience from previous BNP governments led by Khaleda Zia. In contrast, all 24 state ministers are first-time office holders. Overall, 41 members of the government have never served in ministerial roles before, reflecting Tarique Rahman’s plan to combine new leadership with experienced figures. Several senior BNP leaders, including standing committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, and Selima Rahman, were not included in the cabinet. BPP elects Tarique as Leader of the House However, Mirza Abbas, Nazrul Islam Khan, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Ismail Zabiullah, and Dr Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir have been appointed advisers to the Prime Minister with the status of ministers. Besides them, Humayun Kabir, Brig Gen (retd) Shamsul Islam, Dr Zahedur Rahman, Dr Mahdi Amin, and Rehan Asif Asad have been appointed as advisers with the status of state ministers. A major surprise in Tarique Rahman’s cabinet is Khalilur Rahman, who previously served as the interim government’s National Security Adviser and High Representative on the Rohingya issue. Though not an MP, he will serve as a technocrat Foreign Minister. Another technocrat minister is Mohammad Aminur Rashid Yasin, former general secretary of Comilla BNP, who will also take office. Former footballer and BNP sports secretary Aminul Haque has been appointed technocrat State Minister for Sports. Both are first-time ministers, bringing expertise and fresh faces to the cabinet. The formation of the new government follows the BNP’s decisive electoral victory and signals a major political shift after two decades. Tarique Rahman appears to be prioritising generational change, administrative renewal, and broader political inclusion through a cabinet dominated by newcomers but supported by experienced politicians. The 13th parliamentary election was held on February 12. Out of 300 seats in the 13th Jatiya Sangsad, the results of two seats have been suspended, while election in one seat was cancelled following the death of a candidate. After winning the election, Tarique Rahman also met the chiefs of three opposition parties—including Jamaat-e-Islami, NCP, and Islami Andolon Bangladesh, sending out a message of positive politics. During the meetings, he also sought cooperation from the opposition parties in governing the country.

Ten advisers to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman were appointed with the status of ministers and state ministers. The Cabinet Division issued a gazette notification in this regard on Tuesday. The five advisers who were appointed with the status of minister are Mirza Abbas Uddin Ahmed, Nazrul Islam Khan, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Md Ismail Zabiullah and Dr Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir. The five other advisers who were appointed with the status of state ministers are Humayun Kabir, Brig Gen (retd) Shamsul Islam, Dr Zahedur Rahman and Dr Mahdi Amin. BNP MPs decline oath as CRC members The gazette notification, signed by Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani, said they were appointed as the advisers under Rule 3(B) of the Rules of Business, 1996. The order will come into effect soon.

Former national football team captain Aminul Haque has been appointed as the State Minister for the Ministry of Youth and Sports under the technocrat quota. Aminul, a leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has been active in politics following his retirement from professional sports. His appointment comes after a period of political struggle; during the previous Awami League government, he faced imprisonment and harassment. In the recently concluded 13th National Parliamentary Election, Haque contested from the Dhaka-16 constituency but lost by a narrow margin. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) officially welcomed the appointment on Tuesday. In a media statement, BCB President Aminul Islam congratulated the new State Minister, noting that his background would be an asset to the administration. "The appointment of a distinguished sports figure like Aminul Haque as State Minister for Youth & Sports is a significant step for Bangladesh," the BCB President said. "Having led the national football team with pride, he understands the realities, challenges, and aspirations of athletes firsthand". While his playing career is highlighted by leading Bangladesh to the 2003 SAFF Championship title, he is now tasked with steering the nation's sports administration as its top guardian.

A festive mood swept across Sirajganj as two BNP lawmakers—an uncle and his nephew—were inducted into the new cabinet as minister and state minister. Party leaders and activists began distributing sweets and exchanging greetings from Tuesday afternoon after reports emerged that the two would be included in the council of ministers. Sources said the duo received phone calls from the Cabinet Division on Tuesday morning to join the new cabinet formed by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Child born at polling station in Sirajganj named after Khaleda Zia The two leaders are Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, a standing committee member of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and MP from Sirajganj-2 (Sadar-Kamarkhanda), and his nephew MA Muhit, MP from Sirajganj-6 (Shahjadpur). They were sworn in as Members of Parliament at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban in the afternoon. Iqbal Hasan took oath as Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources while Muhit was sworn in as State Minister for Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, and Ministry of Science and Technology. President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered the oath. Iqbal Hasan earlier served as State Minister for Power during the 2001 four-party alliance government led by Khaleda Zia. He has been elected MP for the third time, including the latest polls. BNP-Jamaat clash in Sirajganj leaves 9 injured Muhit was elected MP for the first time from Sirajganj-6. He is the son of eye specialist Dr. MA Matin, who served as deputy prime minister and health minister during the rule of former president Hussain Muhammad Ershad. General Secretary of Sirajganj district unit BNP, Saidur Rahman Bachchu expressed pride and joy over the appointment of two ministers from the district and extended congratulations on behalf of the residents of Sirajganj.

Miscreants set the house of a local BNP leader on fire by hurling a petrol bomb at Bildumurtala in Sadar upazila of Narail district early Tuesday. Witnesses said miscreants hurled a petrol bomb targeting the house of Humayun Molla, president of Habkhali union unit BNP around 1 am. Family members of Humayun Mollah said they woke up after hearing a loud explosion at about 1:00am and found the house engulfed in flames. Van driver found murdered at house in Narail Valuables including paddy, seasonal crops and household furniture were burnt to ashes in the fire. However, no one was injured. Contacted, the victim's family said the BNP’s nominated candidate carried out the attack as they had worked for rebel candidate Monirul Islam in the Narail-2 constituency during the election. Denying the allegation, Riazul Islam Tinku, former president of Hobkhali Union unit BNP said supporters of the rebel candidate had set the fire as part of a conspiracy to blame their group. He demanded a fair investigation into the incident. Md Oli Mia, Officer-in-Charge of Narail Sadar Police Station said necessary steps would be taken after investigation. Man killed in clash over land dispute in Narail

Six people were injured in a clash between two factions of BNP over establishing supremacy at Chakdah village in Sreepur upazila of Magura district on Monday night. Atowar Rahman, inspector of Sreepur Police Station, said former president of no 1 ward of Gayeshpur union unit BNP Panjab Ali and general secretary of the ward Wahab Mandal had been at loggerheads over establishing supremacy in the area. As a sequel to the enmity, Rocky, a supporter of Panjab Ali was injured in an attack by the supporters of Wahab Mandal on Sunday evening. Woman ‘divorced for voting BNP’ in Feni; husband cites family dispute An altercation was ensued between the supporters of both groups over the issue at Natun Para area around 9:30 pm on Monday, triggering a clash that left six people injured. Twenty houses were vandalised during the melee. On information, police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control. Police arrested ten people in this connection.

Forty nine ministers and state ministers were sworn in at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad on Tuesday. President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered the oath of office to the newly appointed members of the cabinet at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad. Earlier, BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman took oath as the Prime Minister. With the oath taking ceremony, the journey of the new government under the leadership of Tarique Rahman officially began. This also marks the return of a BNP- led government after nearly two decades. 1. Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir (Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives) 2. Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury (Ministry of Finance and Planning), 3.Salahuddin Ahmed (Ministry of Home Affairs) 4. Iqbal Hasan Mahmud (Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources) 5. Hafiz Uddin Ahmed (Ministry of Liberation War Affairs) 6. Abu Zafar Md Zahid Hossain (Ministry of Women and Children Affairs and Social Welfare) 7. Khalilur Rahman(technocrat, Ministry of Foreign Affairs) 8. Nitai Roy (Ministry of Cultural Affairs) 9. Abdul Awal Mintoo (Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change) 10. Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad (Ministry of Religious Affairs) 11. Mizanur Rahman Minu (Ministry of Land) 12. Khandaker Abdul Muktadir (Ministry of Commerce, Industries, Textile and Jute)  13. Ariful Haque Chowdhury (Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, Labour and Employment) Tarique Rahman: From London exile to Bangladesh’s Prime Minister 14. Zahir Uddin Swapan (Ministry of Information and Broadcasting) 15. Aminur Rashid (Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock) 16. Afroza Khanam Rita (Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism), 17. Shaheed Uddin Chowdhury Anee (Ministry of Water Resources), 18. Asadul Habib Dulu (Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief) 19. Md Asaduzzaman (Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs) 20. Zakaria Taher (Ministry of Housing and Public Works) 21. Dipon Dewan (Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs) 22. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon (Ministry of Education, and Ministry of Primary and Mass Education) 23. Sardar Sakhawat Hossain (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare) 24. Fakir Mahbub Anam (Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, and Ministry of Science and Technology) 25. Shaikh Rabiul Alam (Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, Railways and Shipping). BNP MPs-elect take oath as members of parliament The state ministers are-   1.   M Rashiduzzaman Millat (Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism) 2.  Anindya Islam Amit (Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources) 3.  Md Shariful Alam (Ministry of Commerce, Industries, Textile and Jute)  4.  Farhad Hossain Azad (Ministry of Water Resources) 5.  Shama Obaid Islam (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)  6.  Sultan Salahuddin Tuku (Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock) 7.  Barrister Kayser Kamal (Ministry of Land)  8.  Md Aminul Haque (Ministry of Youth and Sports) 9.  Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin (Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs) 10.                  Habibur Rashid Habib (Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, Railways and Shipping) 11.                  Rajib Ahsan (Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges) 12.                  Mir Shahe Alam (Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives) ,  13.                  Zunayed Saki (Ministry of Finance and Planning)   14.                  Ishraque Hossain (Ministry of Liberation War Affairs) 15.                  Farzana Sharmin (Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, Ministry of Social Welfare)  16.                  Shaikh Faridul Islam (Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change)  17.                  Nurul Haq Nur (Ministry of Labour and Employment, and Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare & Overseas Employment)  18.                  Yasir Khan Chowdhury(Ministry of Information and Broadcasting)  19.                  M Iqbal Hossain (Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief) 20.                  M A Muhit (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare)  21.                  Ahmed Sohel Manzur (Ministry of Housing and Public Works)  22.                  Bobby Hajjaj (Ministry of Education, and Ministry of Primary and Mass Education)  23.                  Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam (Ministry of Cultural Affairs) 24.                  Md Abdul Bari (Ministry of Public Administration)       

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman was sworn in as the 11th Prime Minister of Bangladesh on Tuesday. President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered the oath at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad. Earlier, the BNP Parliamentary Party (BPP) unanimously elected party Chairman Tarique Rahman as the Leader of the House. BNP MPs-elect took oath as only members of the 13th parliament, not as members of the Constitution Reform Council on Tuesday morning. Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin administered the oath at 10:43am in line with the Constitution as the posts of Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the 12th Parliament are currently vacant.