Sheikh Hasina sworn in as Bangladesh PM

DHAKA: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed was sworn in as Bangladesh’s prime minister on Sunday for a third spell, after a deadly election boycotted by the opposition amid a worsening political crisis.
Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid administered the oath at the presidential palace in the capital Dhaka in a ceremony broadcast live on television channels.
“I am, Sheikh Hasina, taking oath...that I will discharge my duties faithfully as the prime minister of the government as per the law,” Hasina said to applause from the audience.
Hasina’s 48-member cabinet was also sworn into office during the ceremony attended by about 1,000 government and top military officials, along with foreign diplomats and newly elected members of parliament.
Hasina has insisted her walkover win in the January 5 elections was legitimate, despite the vote being boycotted by the opposition and its allies in the deadliest election violence in the country’s history.
Hasina’s Awami League party won nearly 80 percent of the seats, which should allow her to rule for another five years.
But analysts say the new government could be short-lived since Hasina faces a deepening political crisis and mounting calls for new polls from the international community and the opposition.