For the first time in Bangladesh's history, the country's biggest fundamentalist outfit Jamat-e-Islami, an alliance partner of Khaleda Zia-led coalition that won parliamentary elections, is going to taste power along with another radical outfit Islamic Oikkya Jote. A day after staking claim to form government, Begum Zia is understood to have begun consultations with top leaders of her Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on the formation of the ministry which is likely to be sworn in on Sunday.
Jamat, which won 16 seats, is likely to have two of its representatives in the ministry--one at the cabinet and another at minister of state rank, alliance sources said. The sources said Jamat is keen on having the religious affairs as well as the mass education portfolios.
However, the party's Chief Maulana Matiur Rahman Nizami declined to confirm or deny this to reporters and said Jamat's stance on this would be expressed at a meeting of the alliance partners.
Jamat, which bagged 18 seats in 1991 elections that saw BNP storming back to power, had supported Khaleda government from outside. But Begum Zia having announced in the run up to the polls this time that her allies would be included in the government even if BNP were to secure majority on its own, there is little doubt about Jamat's participation in the new ministry.
Islamic Oikkya Jote, which won two Parliament seats, is also set to get a berth in Khaleda government. The BNP would need the support of its partners in the event of any change to be brought about to the constitution.
The alliance has secured two-thirds majority in the 300-member Jatiya Sangswad (National Parliament).
Bureau Report