Dhaka, Feb. 20 -- The presence of advisors at the BNP government's first cabinet meeting has become a constitutional talking point.

Since advisors do not take an oath of confidentiality, it is unclear whether they can attend such a critical government meeting.

Experts say the matter depends largely on tradition and the prime minister's discretion in Bangladesh.

The new cabinet met at 3pm on Wednesday in the Secretariat's Building No. 1, presided over by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

After the meeting, the Prime Minister's Advisor Zahed Ur Rahman told journalists that the gathering was not a formal cabinet meeting.

He said, "You all know that [Wednesday'] meeting was not actually a cabinet meeting. It was a courtesy meeting where min...