Ruling Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader says that the new Cabinet, which left out senior party leaders, aims to keep the party separate from the government.

“Some will serve in the administration while some will work to strengthen the party,” he told the media at the Bangabhaban after the new Cabinet was sworn in on Monday (Jan 7).

Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina has retained Quader as the minister for road transport and bridges.

“The ministers won’t be able to work for the party. Therefore, the aim was to create a balance by to keep the party a separate entity from the government,” he said.

Almost all senior leaders of the ruling party have been left out the new Cabinet for Hasina’s third-consecutive term as prime minister.

Quader said the move was aimed to make that the party does not get involved in the government.

“Those who were dropped have nothing to lose, while those made it to the Cabinet have no option to indulge in self-satisfaction either,” he said before adding the new ministers will have to prove themselves or else will be removed by six months.

On dropping allies from the Cabinet, he said, “The 14-party is with us. A ministerial role lasts five years and reshuffle will be there made based on performances.”