Date:08/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/08/stories/2009010854431700.htm

International

Hasina picks fresh hands

Haroon Habib

DHAKA: Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina sprang several surprises when she named her new team of Ministers, having dropped almost all her party’s senior leaders from the Cabinet.

In the 32-member Cabinet announced on Tuesday, as many as 25 are newcomers, a surprise move by Ms. Hasina who was sworn-in for a second term as Prime Minister thanks to the old guards in her party. Ms. Hasina has appointed a young woman leader Dr. Dipu Moni as Foreign Minister and another woman party veteran Sahara Khatun as Home Minister. Two young generation leaders — Dr. Hasan Mahmud and Tanjim Ahmed — were made State Ministers for Foreign Affairs and Home.

Women have been chosen in a greater number than any time before. Trade union leader Munnujan Sufian was made a State Minister for Labour while Matia Chowdhury was given the Agriculture portfolio.