Hasina springs surprise, drops many old cabinet faces
AK Abdul Momen, a former diplomat, appointed as new Foreign Minister;
New delhi: After winning a massive unprecedented victory in 11th Parliamentary Election of Bangladesh, Prime Minister elect Sheikh Hasina springs a surprise on Sunday by anouncing her next cabinet before oath taking ceremony to be held tomorrow afternoon. She has dropped most of the old time members of the last cabinet, known to be her loyal, including former Foreign Minister AH Mahomood Ali and appointed AK Abdul Momen a former diplomat in the Permanent mission of Newyork. Mr Shariar Alam retains his porfolio as Junior in the Foreign ministry.
Mr Momen a first time winner is the brother of former Finance Minister AK Muhith who didn't contest this time on health grounds. Awami league Secretary General, the powerful loyalists of PM Mr Obaidul Quadir will continue in the same portfolio of Roads ,Transport and Bridges. Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal will continue as Home Minister. One of the major allegation against Awami League Government was about corruption indulging some of the Ministers. Observers say that PM Hasina tried to assuage that perception while making the new cabinet.
The 47 member cabinet has shown a clear authority of Sheikh Hasina as well as lowered the average age of the new cabinet, a clear signal for addressing the new generation of Bangladesh who rallied behind the Awami league in big numbers . In an umprecedented move cabinet secretary Muhammad Safiul Ilam has announced the portfolio of the new cabinet. Out of 47, only 24 are Cabinet Ministers, 19 State Ministers and 3 Deputy Ministers. Only Awami league MPs are accomodated in the cabinet. No alliance partners are in the new cabinet. Most popular Minister in Bangladesh former Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu was dropped and new Information Minister woulde be Hasan Mahmud.
No members from alliance partner Jatiyo party led by Former President Md Ershad, Jatiyo Samajtwadi and Workers Party find place in the new cabinet.
Two members from the Hindu community given berth in the cabinet. Mr Sadhan Majumdar gets cabinet berth of Food and Mr Swapan Bhattacharya accomodated as Junior Minister in the Local administration Ministry. Former External affairs Ministers who was dropped in the last cabinet gets Education portfolio as cabinet rank. Well known heavy weight Ministers like Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed, Health Minister Mahammed Nasim. Old timer Agriculture Minister Motia Chowdhury , Culture Min ister Asaduzzaman Noor were dropped from tthe cabinet.
Two women are in the cabinet. Apart from two MPs from Hindu community one Tribal from Parbatya Chittaging taken into the cabinet.
As Former Finace Minister didn't contest new Finace Minister will be AHM Mustafa Kamal. Captain Tazul Islam will discharge the duties of Local Administration as Cabnitet Minister.
Many of the Indian Journalists recently visited his constituency of Bramvanbaria during election days.