DHAKA, Feb 17, (V7N) — In a historic shift for the nation’s political landscape, Tarique Rahman, the Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), was sworn in as the 11th Prime Minister of Bangladesh on Tuesday. The ceremony, held at the South Plaza of the National Parliament Building (Jatiya Sangsad), marks the formal end of nearly 18 months of interim rule and the return of an elected government following the landslide victory of the BNP-led alliance in the February 12 polls.

The Cabinet Division officially released the gazette notification late Tuesday night, confirming the dissolution of the interim government led by Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus. According to the notification, President Mohammed Shahabuddin appointed Tarique Rahman as Prime Minister under Article 56(3) of the Constitution, noting his status as the member of parliament commanding the confidence of the majority. The President also administered the oath to a 49-member council of ministers, comprising 25 ministers and 24 state ministers, signaling a broad-based administration.

The swearing-in ceremony was attended by a host of international dignitaries, including Indian Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, and Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu. In a symbolic gesture before boarding his motorcade, Prime Minister Rahman emphasized a vision of "Bangladesh First," focusing on democratic restoration and national reconciliation. Notable cabinet appointees include veteran leaders like Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and technocrat ministers like Dr. Khalilur Rahman, alongside uprising leaders such as Nurul Haque Nur and Zonayed Saki, bridging the gap between established politics and the 2024 student-led revolution.

This transition restores parliamentary governance after nearly two decades of political absence for the BNP and 17 years of exile for Tarique Rahman. The new government faces the immediate task of implementing the "July National Charter 2025" and stabilizing the economy as the nation looks toward a new democratic horizon. Prime Minister Rahman is expected to chair his first formal cabinet meeting at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Wednesday morning to outline the administration's priority agenda for the first 100 days.

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