Sources from Dhaka stated Sheikh Hasina that will be sworn in as Bangladesh's prime minister for a record fourth term on Monday after her Awami League's landslide victory in the December 30 election. Meanwhile Hasina's ruling alliance won more than 90% of the seats contested in the election, which was marred by accusations of ballot stuffing, voter intimidation and violence.
Accordingly Hasina, 71, and her ruling Awami League party have dismissed the accusations. Reportedly on Thursday, she was chosen as the leader of the House for the fourth time. Furthermore Hasina, the daughter of Bangladesh's founder Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, is termed by many as the country's iron lady. Further Bangladesh on Sunday named a council of ministers with several new faces in the 47 member Cabinet of Prime Minister Hasina.
Reportedly several veterans were dropped from the council of ministers amid speculation about the inductions as major portfolios like defense were retained by Hasina herself. Moreover the Jatiya Party, a key partner in the Awami League led Grand Alliance of Hasina, decided to occupy the opposition benches in Parliament after the main opposition BNP led by ex-premier Khaleda Zia rejected the results of the general election.
