In her Cabinet for the straight third term, Awami League (AL) chief Sheikh Hasina has broken the tradition of including representatives from allies in her administration. She has chosen to begin her fourth term with an Awami League-exclusive cabinet, which will be sworn in on Monday (Jan7).

Following an astounding landslide victory in the 11th parliamentary polls held on Dec 30, the Prime Minister-elect on Sunday (Jan 6) unveiled her ministerial council which also saw 34 members from her previous administration dropped making way for 27 new faces.

The 46-strong new cabinet, features 24 ministers, 19 minister of states and three deputy ministers. Even the three technocrat picks are either involved with Awami League politics or pro-Awami League making it an all AL-Cabinet.

The ruling Awami League formed government for the first time under the leadership of Hasina in 1996. Jatiya Party (faction) leader Anwar Hossain Manju and JSD leader ASM Abdur Rob were made ministers in that cabinet.

In 2008, Hasina chose to include Jatiya Party leaders including GM Quader in the cabinet in addition with Bangladesh Samyabadi Dal General Secretary Dilip Barua. By the end of the ninth parliament, JaSoD Chief Hasanul Haq Inu was also brought in to the cabinet.

In her following and second straight term, Workers' Party President Rashed Khan Menon was seen handed charge of a ministry. Besides, the Awami League-led 14-party grand alliance partner Jatiya Party members were also made ministers and state ministers.

In the 11th parliament, this is going to be the first instance when Sheikh Hasina will be assuming office with only her party members in the cabinet.

On Sunday afternoon, Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam announced the names of cabinet picks.

Unlike the previous administration, HM Ershad-led Jatiya Party will play the role of opposition in the parliament, ruling out its members from the equation as well.