DHAKA, Feb 17: BNP leader Tarique Rahman was on Tuesday sworn in as Bangladesh’s new prime minister, marking a new beginning for the country after a nearly 18-month period of political uncertainty and lawlessness under the rule of the interim government led by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, accompanied by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, represented India at the ceremony held at the open space of the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad in presence of Bangladesh’s top political and military brass.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered the oath of office to 60-year-old Rahman at the South Plaza instead of Bangabhaban, in a departure from a long-standing tradition.
Earlier in the day, Rahman was elected as leader of the parliamentary party by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party lawmakers.
Rahman’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has bagged 209 out of 297 seats, while right-wing Jamaat-e-Islami secured 68 seats in the 13th Parliamentary elections. Deposed premier Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League was barred from contesting polls. (Agencies)
