No major reshuffle is expected in the cabinet of the government led by Prime Minister Tarek Rahman for now. However, two new members are set to join the cabinet.

Although the names of several lawmakers have been under discussion, the names of Saching Pru Jerry, elected MP from Bandarban, and Mohammad Shamim Kaiser Lincoln, MP from Gaibandha-4 (Gobindগঞ্জ), have reportedly been finalized at this stage.

A gazette notification on their appointment may be issued as early as Thursday (August 20) or before the swearing-in ceremony of the new president. The two new cabinet members are expected to take oath before the new president after the presidential swearing-in ceremony on August 22.

A high-level government source confirmed the matter to the media.

According to sources, Saching Pru Jerry will be appointed Minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs, while Shamim Kaiser Lincoln will become State Minister for Religious Affairs. Discussions about appointing Lincoln to the post of state minister have been ongoing for several days.

The new president will administer their oaths. The presidential election will be held on Thursday. As the Constitution requires the newly elected president to take oath within three days of the election, the swearing-in ceremony could be held on Friday, August 21. August 22 is also a public holiday, and preparations are reportedly underway for the presidential oath-taking ceremony.

The decision to appoint Saching Pru Jerry as the minister in charge of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Ministry is being viewed in the context of the political and administrative importance of the hill districts. Those familiar with the matter believe appointing an MP from Bandarban to the ministry would signal greater emphasis on representation of indigenous hill communities and local development issues.

Following the 13th parliamentary election held on February 12, Dipen Dewan, central BNP assistant secretary for religious affairs, took oath as a cabinet member on February 17. He served as Minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs but resigned on June 1, citing health reasons. Nearly two months later, the ministry is set to receive a new minister.

Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin is currently serving as state minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs. He is also serving as state minister for land.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Shamim Kaiser Lincoln was elected from Gaibandha-4 as a BNP candidate in the 13th parliamentary election, securing 142,772 votes.

The addition of the two lawmakers would bring another round of changes to the cabinet. It remains to be seen whether their appointments will be formally announced on Thursday or whether August 20 or 21 will be finalized for their oath-taking.

A senior cabinet member told the media that the two lawmakers are being brought into the cabinet and that their names and ministries have already been finalized. “It will be announced on August 20. They will take oath before the new president,” the member said.

Asked about the matter, Information Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan said, “I know nothing about this. The Cabinet Secretary can say about it.”

Saching Pru Jerry also told the media, “I have no information about joining the cabinet.”

The current cabinet has 50 members. Under Prime Minister Tarek Rahman, it includes 25 full ministers and 24 state ministers, in addition to the prime minister. Outside the cabinet, there are 10 advisers to the prime minister, five holding the rank of minister and five the rank of state minister.

Meanwhile, preparations are underway at Bangabhaban for the new president’s oath-taking ceremony. However, the exact date of the ceremony has not yet been finalized. The presidential election is scheduled for August 20, and the Constitution requires the elected president to take oath within three days of the election.

BNP Secretary General and Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has been nominated as the ruling party’s presidential candidate. His nomination was declared valid following scrutiny by the Election Commission. As the BNP holds a majority in Parliament, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is expected to be elected as the next president.

President’s Press Secretary Md. Sarwar Alam told the media, “Preparations have been made at Bangabhaban for the president’s oath-taking ceremony. After the presidential election on August 20, the date of the oath-taking ceremony will be announced.”

Regarding preparations for the ceremony, Assistant Press Secretary to the President S.M. Rahat Hasnat told Kaler Kantho, “Preparations are underway at Bangabhaban for the swearing-in ceremony of the new president.”