Tarique Rahman Sworn In as Bangladesh PM, Ending Two-Decade BNP Hiatus
DHAKA — In a ceremony that marks the most significant political transition in Bangladesh’s recent history, Tarique Rahman was sworn in as the new Prime Minister today. The event, held at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad (National Parliament) rather than the traditional presidential palace, symbolizes a new beginning for the nation following the landslide victory of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in the February 12 general elections.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered the oath of office to the 60-year-old Rahman at approximately 4:15 p.m. local time. Following the Prime Minister, a diverse cabinet of 49 members—consisting of 25 cabinet ministers and 24 ministers of state—also took their oaths. The new administration includes several prominent figures from the BNP’s National Standing Committee, such as Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Amir Khosru Mahmud Chaudhury, alongside “technocrat” appointments like National Security Adviser Dr. Khalilur Rahman, who is expected to lead the Foreign Ministry.
The ceremony was attended by over 1,200 guests, including high-ranking foreign dignitaries. Notable attendees included India’s Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and the Foreign Minister of Pakistan, signaling a regional effort to engage with the new leadership. Earlier in the day, the newly elected Members of Parliament were sworn in by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, as both the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the previous parliament were unavailable.
In his inaugural address, Prime Minister Rahman emphasized a vision of national reconciliation, urging citizens to move past the divisions of the last two decades. He pledged that his government would prioritize the rule of law, economic stability, and the restoration of democratic institutions. This transition officially concludes the tenure of the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, which had governed the country since the youth-led uprising in mid-2024.
