Not official state car, Tarique opts for personal vehicle
In a break from long-standing protocol, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has chosen to travel in his own private vehicle instead of the official state car.
The information was confirmed on Wednesday by BNP media cell member Atiqur Rahman Rumon.
According to Rumon, the Prime Minister is using his own white Toyota Land Cruiser Prado LC 250 SUV, driven by his personal chauffeur and fuelled at his own expense. “He is not using the prime ministerial official limousine,” he said.
Smaller motorcade, fewer disruptions
As part of Wednesday’s schedule, the Prime Minister travelled to Savar and Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the same private vehicle before heading to the Cabinet Division at the Bangladesh Secretariat for the first cabinet meeting.
On his instructions, the size of the motorcade was also sharply reduced. Previously, the Prime Minister’s convoy included 13 to 14 vehicles. On Wednesday, it was cut down to just four.
Rumon said the move was made with traffic congestion in mind, aiming to reduce inconvenience for the public.
The Prime Minister also used a flagless car during his first day’s programme after taking the oath. However, party sources said the national flag will be mounted on his vehicle during state functions and when receiving foreign dignitaries.
Cabinet meetings shift to the Cabinet Division
In another departure from convention, Tarique has decided that cabinet meetings will generally be held at the Cabinet Division rather than at the Prime Minister’s Office.
According to party officials, the decision was taken to ease traffic pressure. When meetings are held at the PMO, ministers travelling from the ministries often cause congestion, leading to public inconvenience due to VIP movements.
The Prime Minister has also instructed the relevant authorities to discontinue the practice of deploying uniformed police along both sides of roads during his movement in the capital.
Paying tribute on the first day
On Wednesday morning, the Prime Minister travelled from his Gulshan residence to the National Martyrs' Memorial in Savar, where he paid tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War.
From there, he went to Sher-e-Bangla Nagar and laid wreaths at the graves of late President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.
Cabinet members accompanied him at both locations before he returned to the Secretariat to chair the first cabinet meeting of the new government.