Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has given privilege to the representatives of the country backward regions in her new Cabinet, says Road Transport Minister Obaidul Quader.

“The PM has formed the new cabinet with new young and old faces in light with the (Awami League’s) election manifesto and it will ease its implementation,” Quader said on Sunday (Jan 7).

Speaking to media at the Secretariat, Qauder, however, hinted the new Cabinet may extend.

“Changes to portfolios may come if the new faces can’t perform well. How many days they (ministers) can carry out their duties depends on their performance,” he said.

Quader, who is the general secretary of Awami League, claimed the possible formation of new Cabinet has drawn acclaim from different quarters.

“Now, let’s see how people receive the new Cabinet,” he said hoping that the minister would do better keeping the pace between reality and acceptation.

On the exclusion of several senior ministers of the last Cabinet, Quader said, “They had been successful their duties. Now, those senior leaders will be working to strengthen the party.”

Referring to Jatiya Party, the senior AL leader said, “It is better the Opposition plays its role and it will flourish the democracy.”

Dismissing the claim on affecting the relation between AL and allies for the inclusion of no minister from the AL-led 14-party Alliance’s partners, Quader said, “A five-year term is a long time. Ministers’ portfolio may change.”   

Quader assured that the new government will continue its fight against corruption.

“The government will take a hard position to establish good governance,” he said.