Bangladesh National Party chief Tarique Rahman was sworn in as the new Prime Minister of Bangladesh on Tuesday. His swearing-in marks a historic moment, as he becomes the first elected male Prime Minister after decades of politics dominated by Sheikh Hasina and his mother Khaleda Zia, a period often described as the “battle of begums”.Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered the oath of office to Rahman at the South Plaza of Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban in Dhaka.India was represented at the ceremony by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, signalling New Delhi’s engagement with the new government after a period of strained ties following Hasina’s exile.Earlier in the day, the BNP parliamentary party met at the parliament building and elected Rahman as its parliamentary leader.Rahman, the son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, led the BNP to a landslide victory in the February 12 general elections after returning from 17 years in exile. The party won more than 151 seats in the 300-member parliament, while the BNP-led alliance secured 212 seats, according to the Election Commission.PM Tarique Rahman, who will serve a five-year term, is the son of former PM Khaleda Zia and former President Ziaur Rahman. He is also Bangladesh’s first male prime minister in 35 years.
