Two ministers are set to receive new portfolios in the first reshuffle of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s cabinet.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon is likely to be removed from the ministry and appointed an adviser to the prime minister, while Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam Rita may be shifted to the Ministry of Food.
According to Cabinet Division sources, the changes will be announced alongside the portfolios of the two ministers who took oath on Friday. A gazette notification on the reshuffle could be issued later on Friday night, the sources said.
Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP) Chairman Barrister Andaleeve Rahman Partho, who was sworn in as a full minister on Friday, is likely to take charge of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, replacing Swapon.
Rashiduzzaman Millat, who was promoted from state minister to full minister, is expected to replace Rita as civil aviation and tourism minister.
Swapon set to become PM’s adviser
BNP leader Zahir Uddin Swapon is currently serving as information and broadcasting minister. Under the proposed reshuffle, he is expected to become an adviser to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman with ministerial status.
Partho, a BNP alliance partner and Bhola-1 MP, is set to take over the Information and Broadcasting Ministry. He took oath as a minister at Bangabhaban on Friday evening.
Rita likely to get food ministry
Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam Rita is also set to receive a new portfolio, with Cabinet Division sources saying she will be moved to the Ministry of Food.
She is expected to be replaced by Rashiduzzaman Millat, the Jamalpur-1 MP who had been serving as state minister for civil aviation and tourism. He was sworn in as a full minister on Friday and is now expected to head the same ministry as minister.