Sheikh Hasina takes oath as Bangladesh's PM for third-consecutive term
Sheikh Hasina was sworn in as Bangladesh's Prime Minister for a third consecutive term today after her Awami League's landslide victory in the December 30 election. President Md Abdul Hamid administered the oath of office to 71-year-old Hasina at the Bangabhaban. The president then administered the oaths for the new ministers, ministers of state and deputy ministers who will form the Cabinet. Read here.
Hasina's party won 96% of the total seats in polls
Hasina will lead a Cabinet of 24 ministers, 19 ministers of state and three state ministers. Her ruling Grand Alliance won 96% of the seats contested in the election, which was marred by accusations of ballot stuffing, voter intimidation, and violence.
The new cabinet of Hasina includes 31 fresh faces
Hasina and her ruling party have however dismissed the accusations. Thirty-one members of Hasina's new Cabinet are first-timers. The Cabinet exclusively consists of members of the Awami League. On Thursday, she was chosen as the leader of the House for the fourth time. Hasina, the daughter of Bangladesh's founder Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, is termed by many as the country's iron lady.
Major portfolios like defense retained by Hasina herself
Several veterans were dropped from the council of ministers amid speculation about the inductions as major portfolios like defense were retained by Hasina herself. The Jatiya Party, a key partner in the Awami League-led Grand Alliance of Hasina, decided to occupy the opposition benches in Parliament Friday, after the main opposition BNP led by ex-premier Khaleda Zia rejected the results of the general election.
