Tarique leads BNP back to govt today

Bangladesh's political landscape is poised for a historic moment as Zia-family heir Tarique Rahman will be sworn in as prime minister to lead the country out of political upheaval-triggered upsets.

The head of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), who had led his party through difficult times from exile for around 17 years, is set to take the oath of office this (Tuesday) afternoon after the party's landslide victory in the general election.

The open-air swearing-in ceremony will take place at 4:00pm at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, with President Mohammad Shahabuddin administering the oath to Rahman and members of his cabinet.

The event marks the formal return of the BNP to power with a commanding parliamentary majority.

Rahman's elevation to the premiership places the Zia family in a rare global category: political families in which three members have served as the head of state or government. In Bangladesh's history, this is unprecedented. After his father, Ziaur Rahman, and mother, Khaleda Zia, Tarique Rahman now assumes leadership of the country.

Earlier in the day, at 10:00am, newly elected Members of Parliament will be sworn in at the parliament's oath chamber by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin. The afternoon ceremony will be conducted by the newly appointed cabinet secretary.

Ziaur Rahman emerged at the centre of state power following the events of November 7, 1975 and later became president in April 1977 after the resignation of then president ASM Sayem. On September 1st, 1978, he founded the BNP, a party that has now formed government four times since the restoration of parliamentary democracy in 1991.

Ziaur Rahman was assassinated on May 30, 1981 in Chittagong by some renegade army officers. His widow, Khaleda Zia, who had until then led a largely private life, entered politics and became a leading figure in the movement against military ruler Hussain Muhammad Ershad.

Following the BNP's victory in the 1991 general election, Khaleda Zia became Bangladesh's first female prime minister. She would go on to serve three terms in office and maintained a record of never losing a parliamentary seat she contested. Khaleda Zia died on December 30 last year.

After years in exile in London, Tarique Rahman returned to Bangladesh in December, ending a 17-year absence. Under his leadership, the BNP secured a landslide victory in the February-12th general election, paving the way for Tuesday's investiture.

The incoming cabinet is expected to comprise 38 members, including between 26 and 27 full ministers and nine to 10 ministers of state, with the possibility of last-minute additions.

Preparations have been made for 36 official residences for ministers and state ministers, located in Dhaka's Bailey Road, Minto Road and Hare Road areas.

In 2001, the BNP's cabinet comprised 60 members, drawing widespread criticism in political circles at the time for its size. Learning from that experience, the party's top leadership is now considering forming a smaller cabinet.

Multiple senior BNP sources say Tarique Rahman wants to build a cabinet that combines senior and younger figures, blending experience with competence. The selection of cabinet members is largely being decided by Rahman himself, in consultation with a member of the party's standing committee.

As BNP chair, Tarique Rahman is set to serve as prime minister and leader of the house. Discussions are under way about assigning key ministries to party secretary-general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, standing committee members Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury and Salahuddin Ahmed. The names of another standing committee member, Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, and former education minister Osman Faruk are also under consideration.

Beyond these figures, the party is reportedly weighing the inclusion of central BNP leaders, representatives from allied parties, younger leaders, district-level personages and technocrats in the new cabinet.

According to party sources, around 1,200 domestic and foreign guests have been invited to the ceremony. Among the confirmed attendees is Om Birla, representing India. Other expected foreign dignitaries include Bhutan's prime minister Tshering Tobgay, Maldives president Mohamed Muizzu, Pakistan planning minister Ahsan Iqbal, Nepalese foreign minister Bala Nanda Sharma and Sri Lanka's health minister Nalinda Jayatissa.

The UK's Indo-Pacific minister, Seema Malhotra, is also expected to attend, according to party insiders.

Advisers of the outgoing interim government have indicated that foreign ministers from Saarc member-states were invited to the ceremony, underscoring the new administration's regional outreach.

In a further development, elected MPs are expected to take an additional oath as members of a proposed "Constitution Reform Council", signalling the government's intention to pursue structural political changes.

Voting was held in 299 of the 300 parliamentary constituencies on February 12. The Election Commission announced unofficial results for 297 seats the following day. Gazette notifications for two constituencies in Chattogram remained pending due to High Court directives.

Of the 297 declared seats, the BNP won 209, while its allies secured three. Jamaat-e-Islami won 68 seats, and other members of its 11-party electoral alliance captured nine.

As Rahman prepares to take the oath of office, Bangladesh enters a new political chapter -- one deeply rooted in the country's turbulent history and shaped by the enduring influence of a single family name.

mirmostafiz@yahoo.com