Shiekh Hasina to be sworn-in as Bangladesh PM

Dhaka, Jan 6 (ANI): Shiekh Hasina, the President of the Awami League Party (AL), will be sworn-in as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh here today.

President Iajuddin Ahmed will appoint and administer oath of office to Hasina and her colleagues in the new council of ministers. He will also appoint and administer oath of office to the other ministers, state ministers and deputy ministers.

Hasina returns to power after spending a few months in custody on charge of murder, extortion and corruption. She has since been acquitted.

In the December 29 polls, the Awami League -led alliance got 262 seats with the AL securing 230 seats alone. The number of AL lawmakers will exceed 265 when another 36 lawmakers to be elected to the seats reserved for women will join parliament.

Bangladesh has been ruled by a military-backed government since January last year when months of political turmoil prompted the army to cancel polls and impose a state of emergency.

Bangladesh attempted to hold elections twice in 2006, but months of strikes and street violence forced the caretaker government to step in.

Hasina, who is close to New Delhi, was in power from 1996-2001. During that period Bangladesh's bilateral ties with India were said to be at its best, The Daily Star reports. (ANI)