Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla reaches Dhaka for Tarique Rahman’s swearing-in ceremony | India News

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla reached Dhaka on Tuesday to represent India at the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected government of Bangladesh led by Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairman Tarique Rahman.

On arrival at the airport, he was welcomed by Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs Secretary Nazrul Islam. The reception, which included officials from the Indian High Commission, underlines the regional importance of the transition as Rahman prepares to take office following the BNP’s landslide victory.

Joining international dignitaries, Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay also came to Dhaka to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the new cabinet. Foreign Affairs Advisor Mohammad Touhid Hossain welcomed him at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

Birla’s participation “underlines the deep and enduring friendship between the people of India and Bangladesh and reaffirms India’s steadfast commitment to the democratic values ​​that bind the two countries together,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

Tarique Rahman is set to be sworn in as Prime Minister as Bangladesh enters a “new dawn” after years of political turmoil.

The swearing-in ceremony at the Bhawan Parliament marks a historic return to power for the BNP after its landslide victory in the February 12 general elections in which the party-led alliance secured 212 seats in the 300-seat parliament.

Tariq Rahman, son of late former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, led the party to achieve this majority after returning from 17 years of exile.

Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami, one of the former allies, emerged as the main opposition force with 77 seats.

Reflecting optimism about the transition, Jatiyo Chhatra Samaj said: “We are excited about the new parliament, Tarique Rahman and the BNP government. We think it will be a different government than the previous government.”

The student leader also emphasized that the new administration represents a move away from the political environment that follows Sheikh Hasina’s ouster in 2024.

“Tarique Rahman will not repeat the fascist culture again and I think he will focus on democratic culture. He will think about the interests of the people and the people will be the owners of this country,” the Convener said, adding: “Everything will change and we will see a new Bangladesh.”

Despite the planned festivities, there was a distinct procedural divide over the proposed constitutional reform council at the morning’s session.

While BNP MPs and independently elected members were sworn in as MPs, they were not sworn in as members of the Constitutional Reform Council.

In response, opposition parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami and 11 other opposition groups, took both oaths, one as a member of parliament and the other as a member of the Constitutional Reform Council.

While BNP MPs argue that there is no such oath regulation in the current constitution, opposition members argue that a directive issued through a referendum makes it mandatory.

Amid these domestic transitions, diplomatic talks continued with Pakistan Minister of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary paying a courtesy call on Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus at the Jamuna State Guest House on Tuesday.

The visit underscores international attention focused on Dhaka as it prepares for the new government to take office.