Hasina says cabinet may not be reduced before election

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has hinted that the cabinet may not be reduced ahead of the coming eleventh parliamentary election.

Representatives from ‘all parties’ are currently on the cabinet, she said. And instituting a smaller election-time cabinet could hinder development, Hasina said.

Hasina made the remarks in response to a question during a press briefing at the Ganabhaban on Monday.

Leaders of the ruling Awami League have said a ‘smaller election-time’ government may be formed for the polls as seen in 2013.

At the start of this year, the prime minister had suggested much the same.

Nayeemul Islam Khan, editor of Amader Orthoneeti, asked the prime minister when the election-time government and what the make-up would be.

In response, the prime minister asked whether there would be any problem if the government was not reduced.

Khan said that there were no constitutional barriers to keeping the government unchanged.

The prime minister pointed out that other countries with parliamentary democracy, such as the UK, do not undergo such changes to the cabinet ahead of elections.

Hasina explained that the cabinet had been reformed for the tenth parliamentary election because the BNP was refusing to participate in the polls and ignored an invitation to be a part of the election-time government.

“We said we would give them control of the ministry they wanted. When they didn’t show up we formed a smaller cabinet with the various parties.”

“But despite winning a majority (in the tenth parliamentary election) we formed a cabinet with representatives from the other parties. This cabinet is representative of the people.”

“As all the parties are represented, I do not think there is reason to reduce the size of the cabinet. What will the reduction do?”

If the cabinet is reduced, then ministers will have to handle multiple ministries, she said.

“This could stall some development projects for 2-3 months and this must be taken into consideration,” she said.

“If the opposition demands it, we will do it. If they don’t we won’t have to.”