The much-criticised minister for communications, Syed Abul Hossain, is all set to be replaced in a Cabinet reshuffle, a highly-placed source said Tuesday night.
The newly-inducted Obaidul Quader, a member of the ruling Awami League presidium, is likely to take over at the communications ministry, the source said.
The source said Hossain, in all likelihood, would move to another ministry.
According to sources close to Quader, the former junior minister for youth, sport and culture is also keen to be communications minister and "has been reluctant" to go the information ministry.
Quader, who turns 60 this New Year's day, was one of three Cabinet ministers sworn in Monday evening in a sudden expansion of the Council of Ministers by Sheikh Hasina.
Hossain, under fire for alleged corruption in the politically-sensitive Padma Bridge project, has also been criticised for failing to ensure repair works of Bangladesh's major arteries.
Many rights groups have also sought his removal, with the calls growing louder after the deaths in car crashes of two media figures in mid-August.
"Quader's keenness as well as the necessity to bring a new face to deal with the crucial Padma Bridge construction makes him the candidate for the job," one source said.
This was the third time in nearly 35 months that the prime minister added new ministers to her team.
Along with Quader, Suranjit Sengupta became a cabinet minister for the first time in his nearly 50 years as a politician.
Hasan Mahmud, the junior environment minister, was elevated to full Cabinet rank on Monday.
The current Awami League cabinet was formed on Jan 6, 2009 with 32 members and now stood at 45—28 cabinet ministers and 17 state ministers.
The newly-inducted Obaidul Quader, a member of the ruling Awami League presidium, is likely to take over at the communications ministry, the source said.
The source said Hossain, in all likelihood, would move to another ministry.
According to sources close to Quader, the former junior minister for youth, sport and culture is also keen to be communications minister and "has been reluctant" to go the information ministry.
Quader, who turns 60 this New Year's day, was one of three Cabinet ministers sworn in Monday evening in a sudden expansion of the Council of Ministers by Sheikh Hasina.
Hossain, under fire for alleged corruption in the politically-sensitive Padma Bridge project, has also been criticised for failing to ensure repair works of Bangladesh's major arteries.
Many rights groups have also sought his removal, with the calls growing louder after the deaths in car crashes of two media figures in mid-August.
"Quader's keenness as well as the necessity to bring a new face to deal with the crucial Padma Bridge construction makes him the candidate for the job," one source said.
This was the third time in nearly 35 months that the prime minister added new ministers to her team.
Along with Quader, Suranjit Sengupta became a cabinet minister for the first time in his nearly 50 years as a politician.
Hasan Mahmud, the junior environment minister, was elevated to full Cabinet rank on Monday.
The current Awami League cabinet was formed on Jan 6, 2009 with 32 members and now stood at 45—28 cabinet ministers and 17 state ministers.
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