NEW DELHI, Feb 2026 : In a surprise move newly elected Prime Minister Tareq Rahaman appointed technocrat Dr. Khalilur Rahaman as Foreign Minister of Bangladesh. He was National Security Advisor of outgoing Interim Government led by Prof. Muhummad Yunus. Another surprise is that inducting highly controversial Dr. Nasimul Gani as cabinet secretary just before the swearing in. He was secretary of Home affairs of Yunus government. In Bangladesh Dr. Gani is known to be ideologue and founder member of banned Hizbut Tahir.
It is clear that shadow of Prof. Yunus looms large over the formation of the new cabinet and leaders close to Washington have been nominated carefully.
A total number of 56 members of Tareq Cabinet sworn in on Tuesday in South Plaza of Parliament which is also a departure from earlier tradition of swearing in Bangabhavan, President’s house.
In the council of ministers one Hindu member Nitai Ray Chowdhury has been given Cultural affairs portfolio. Senior leader of BNP representing minority Hindu community Gayeswar Ray has not found place in the cabinet. Senior leader Mirza Fakrul Islam Alamgir will be minister of important department in Bangladesh- local government, rural development and cooperative.
Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury will be Finance minister. Home department is given to senior leader Salauddin Ahmed who spent 9 years in India during Hasina tenure.
The morning started in Bangladesh with severe political fault line which indicates instability of the new government. This time people not only voted for political parties but also for referendum for sweeping changes in the constitution based on values of liberation struggle.
In another surprise move BNP decided not to take oath on the basis of referendum but took oath as the Member of Parliament. Whereas Jamayet Islami and the student party NCP took oath as Member of Parliament as well as the member of constituent assembly for the change of the Constitution.
Later NCP which were leading the July movement to remove Sheikh Hasina from power decided to boycott oath taking ceremony of PM Tareq Rahaman, signalling more instability in near future.
Picture credit social media
