The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Prime Minister-in-waiting Sheikh Hasina yesterday evening hoped that her cabinet would take oath within the first week of January.

Sheikh Hasina, president of Awami League and leader of the Grand Alliance that swept Monday's parliament elections, spelt out the timing of forming the government while talking to journalists after meeting President Prof Dr Iajuddin Ahmed at Bangabhaban. "We will take oath after getting invitation from the President and we hope it will be within the first week of January," she said.

Asked about strength of the new cabinet, the Grand Alliance leader said they had already designed their cabinet which will be announced at an appropriate time.

During the meeting, President Iajuddin informed Sheikh Hasina that the swearing-in of the cabinet would be arranged "in the shortest possible time" as per their desire after the publication of gazette notification, President's press secretary Abdul Awal Howlader told UNB.

The President congratulated Sheikh Hasina on her election win and said that her and her party's "responsibility towards the entire nation has increased a lot as her party received huge mandate from the people".

President Iajuddin hoped that they would be successful in fulfilling the aspirations of the nation.

Dr Ahmed also firmly hoped that the path of democracy would be further strengthened as well as economic development paced up through this 9th parliamentary election.

Sheikh Hasina told the President that the people of the country exercised their voting right in festive mood in the general election as they were eagerly waiting for it.

"We need to continue this trend and work for changing the country's political culture," she said.

Sheikh Hasina also said they would do their future task keeping in mind that the entire nation has shown huge confidence in them and her government would work in keeping with the hopes and aspirations of the people.

Co-chairman of the Awami League Election Steering Committee HT Imam and Secretaries concerned and other Bangabhaban high officials were present on the occasion.