Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is expected to expand his cabinet this evening with the induction of four new members.
Sources indicate that BNP Standing Committee member Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan (Narsingdi-2), BJP Chairman Andaleeve Rahman Partho (Bhola-1) and Saching Prue Jerry (Bandarban) will be appointed as ministers. Meanwhile, Mohammad Shamim Kaiser Lincoln (Gaibandha-4) is expected to take the oath as a state minister.
The swearing-in ceremony will take place at Bangabhaban following the presidential inauguration. Newly elected President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will be sworn in as Bangladesh’s 23rd President at 7:30 PM, with Acting Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal administering the oath. Afterward, President Fakhrul will swear in the new cabinet members.
Prime Minister Rahman with his cabinet and over 1,200 guests are expected to attend the event which may also trigger a broader reshuffle of ministerial portfolios.
This expansion addresses recent vacancies within the administration. The Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives will become vacant as Mirza Fakhrul assumes the presidency. Furthermore Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Minister Dipen Dewan resigned on June 1 citing health reasons.
Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani confirmed the likelihood of a swearing-in ceremony today but declined to specify the final number or identities of the inductees.
This marks the first cabinet expansion since Prime Minister Rahman and his initial 49-member council took office on February 17 following the BNP's election victory on February 12.
