Swapan becomes PM’s political adviser after resignation

Jahir Uddin Swapan has resigned as information and broadcasting minister and has been appointed political adviser to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

The Cabinet Division issued two separate notifications on Saturday regarding his resignation and new appointment.

According to the resignation notification signed by Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani, President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir accepted Swapan’s resignation, which took effect immediately.

In a separate notification, Swapan was appointed political adviser to the prime minister under Rules 3B(1) and 3B(2) of the Rules of Business, 1996.

The notification said Swapan would retain the rank of a minister and receive the salary, allowances and other benefits attached to the position while serving as the prime minister’s adviser.

Swapan’s resignation came as part of the first major reshuffle of the cabinet led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP) Chairman Barrister Andalib Rahman Partha was given charge of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry after being sworn in as a full minister on Friday evening.

Partha, an ally of the BNP-led government, is a lawmaker from Bhola-1.

The Cabinet Division issued notifications late Friday night allocating and reallocating portfolios as part of the reshuffle.

Rashiduzzaman Millat, who was elevated from state minister to full minister, was given charge of the Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry, while former minister Afroza Khanam Rita was assigned the Food Ministry.

BNP Standing Committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan was given charge of the Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Ministry, which became vacant after Mirza Fakhrul was elected president.

Bandarban lawmaker Saching Prue Jerry was appointed minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs.

Humayun Kabir, who was sworn in as a state minister from the technocrat quota, was given charge of the Foreign Affairs Ministry as state minister, while Gaibandha-4 lawmaker Mohammad Shamim Kaiser Lincoln was appointed state minister for Religious Affairs.

President Mirza Fakhrul administered the oath to four full ministers and two state ministers at Bangabhaban on Friday evening, after which the portfolio reshuffle began.