Caretakers take office on oath

Ten advisers were sworn in to the caretaker government at a ceremony at the Bangabhaban Tuesday to help President Iajuddin Ahmed steer the country through general elections.

bdnews24.com
Published : 30 Oct 2006, 12:00 PM
Updated : 30 Oct 2006, 12:00 PM
Dhaka, Oct 31 (bdnews24.com) – Ten advisers were sworn in to the caretaker government at a ceremony at the Bangabhaban Tuesday to help President Iajuddin Ahmed steer the country through general elections.
The caretakers are former cabinet secretary Dr Akbar Ali Khan, Scholastica chairperson Yasmin Murshid, heart specialist Dr Sufia Rahman, former foreign secretary CM Shafi Sami, human-rights NGO ASK's chief executive Sultana Kamal, Editor of The Independent Mahbubul Alam, Justice Fazlul Huq, former secretary Dhiraj Kumar Nath, former army chief Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury and former inspector general of police Azizul Huq.
The president administered the oath.
Earlier, three political parties handed the President lists of advisers for the caretaker administration, party and Bangabhaban sources told bdnews24.com.
The Bangabhaban that faces a challenge of neutrality altered the lists several times to make a final list. Awami League President Sheikh Hasina set Iajuddin a deadline to prove his neutrality by November 3.
State-controlled BTV waited hours to broadcast the swearing-in ceremony live from the Bangabhaban. As the event was shifted to 10pm, the TV channel filled airtime with old patriotic songs.
The sources said leaders of the 14-party alliance named five probable advisers: Barrister Shafiq Ahmed, ASK's chief executive Sultana Kamal, former senior police officer Ahmedul Huq Chowdhury, former secretary Dr Mashiur Rahman and former air force chief Jamaluddin Ahmed.
The BNP and its allies also submitted a list of advisers: FBCCI President Mir Nasir Hossain or ICC President Mahbubur Rahman, Akbar Ali Khan, Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury, retired major general Mainul Hossain Chowdhury, Professor Wahiduddin Mahmud and Dilara Zaman.
The Bangabhaban sources told bdnews24.com Barrister Mainul Hosein and Professor Wahiduddin declined offers for the caretaker government.
The Jatiya Party led by HM Ershad named three as advisers: NGO leader Dr Jafrullah Chowdhury, retired army chief Atikur Rahman and a businessman, the sources said.
Earlier in the day, AL General Secretary Abdul Jalil led his party allies to a meeting with the President.
The alliance held talks at Hasina's home Sudha Sadan to make the list of advisers.
The alliance leaders consulted Gono Forum President Dr Kamal Hossain, an ally of the 14-party, and Bar Council Vice Chairman Rokanuddin Mahmud, a legal expert close to the AL.
Iajuddin who tapped himself for the caretaker government was sworn in as the chief of caretaker authority Sunday amid political violence that killed at least 25 people across the country.
Security was tightened in the city in the final hours to the oath-taking ceremony.
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