(Web Desk) – Newly elected members of Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliament were sworn in on Tuesday at Parliament House, marking a significant milestone toward forming the country’s first elected government in 18 months.
The oath-taking ceremony signals the transition from an extended interim administration following the end of the Awami League’s 17-year rule. With lawmakers now officially assuming office, the parliamentary majority is expected to elect its leader, who will then be formally invited by the president to form the new government.
According to political observers, Tariq Rahman, chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and leader of the parliamentary majority, is widely expected to head the incoming administration. The development marks a major shift in Bangladesh’s political landscape, with the BNP preparing to take charge after a prolonged period of transitional governance.
Sources within the BNP suggest that the new cabinet will likely include a combination of experienced politicians, emerging leaders, and technocrats. The administration is expected to prioritize delivering on election pledges, accelerating administrative reforms, and introducing fresh leadership into key policy areas. Senior party figures, including Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, are anticipated to assume prominent roles in the government structure.
Meanwhile, plans to administer a separate oath to lawmakers as members of a proposed Constitutional Reform Council have been delayed. Party leaders cited ongoing differences among political stakeholders, noting that constitutional amendments and legal requirements must be finalized before the council can be formally established. BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed stated that further progress depends on consensus-building among parties and completion of the necessary legal framework.
Security was tightened around Parliament House during the ceremony, with enhanced traffic management, surveillance measures, and security protocols in place. The event drew international attention, with several foreign dignitaries attending, including Maldives President Mohamed Morsi, Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, Indian Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, and Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal.
Analysts say the coming weeks will be critical as Bangladesh moves toward establishing a new administration and addressing key governance and economic challenges.
