• Source:JND

Tarique Rahman, the 60-year-old son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, is set to be sworn in as the new Prime Minister of Bangladesh this Tuesday following a historic electoral victory. His appointment marks the return of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to power after a 20-year hiatus.

A Ceremony At Parliament’s South Plaza

Preparations are currently underway in Dhaka for the ceremony, which is scheduled for 4:00 pm. Breaking a long-standing tradition, the oath-taking will take place at the South Plaza of the Parliament complex instead of the Bangabhaban. The event will be attended by various international heads of state and dignitaries.

Om Birla Will Represent India At Swearing-In Ceremony

India will be represented at the ceremony by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. Although Prime Minister Narendra Modi was invited, he is unable to attend due to the ongoing AI Summit in India held from February 16 to 20. Speaker Birla is expected to be accompanied by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Lok Sabha Secretary General Utpal Kumar Singh.

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Taking Command After Khaleda Zia’s Passing

Tarique Rahman took full command of the BNP following the death of his mother, Khaleda Zia, on December 30. He returned to Bangladesh this past December after living in London for nearly 18 years. The BNP last held the government from 2001 to 2006.

Key Invitees At Swearing-In Ceremony

According to reports, invitations were extended to more than a dozen countries. Expected guests include Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, and the foreign ministers of Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan. Representatives from China, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the UAE, Qatar and Brunei have also been invited.

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Minority Representation In Parliament

The general election also saw four minority candidates, including two Hindus, secure seats in Parliament on BNP tickets. Gayeshwar Chandra Roy won in Dhaka, while Nitai Roy Chowdhury secured the West Magura seat; both candidates defeated rivals from Jamaat-e-Islami. The other minority members include Saching Prue, who is Buddhist and Dipen Dewan.


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