Bangladesh: Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir nominated as BNP's presidential candidate
Dhaka, August 13
Bangladesh Nationalist Party's Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was on Thursday nominated as the party's candidate for the presidency of Bangladesh, following which he resigned from his positions as the party's Secretary General and as a member of the National Standing Committee.
Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Senior Joint Secretary General of the BNP, announced the decision to journalists earlier today after emerging from a meeting of the party's National Standing Committee held in front of the Bangladesh Prime Minister's Office at the Secretariat.
Several leaders of the National Standing Committee, including the party's Joint Secretary General, were present at the time.
"On behalf of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, I am pleased to announce that our struggling Secretary General, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, has become the party's presidential candidate," Rizvi told reporters following the meeting.
"This decision was taken a short while ago in a meeting with the honourable Chairman of the party and the Prime Minister of the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh. Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has been selected as the BNP candidate," he added.
Rizvi further confirmed Alamgir's resignation from his positions as BNP Secretary General and as a member of the National Standing Committee.
This comes as the country gears up for the presidential election after 76-year-old Mohammed Shahabuddin stepped down from the presidency, citing severe health complications, last month.
Shahabuddin, who had been President since April 2023, submitted his signed resignation letter to the Bangaldesh Speaker on July 24, with Speaker Major (Retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed confirming he had accepted the resignation that was submitted to him that day.
Addressing reporters at a press conference held at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, the national Parliament building, Ahmed said, "In accordance with Article 54 of the Constitution, I have taken charge of the President's duties in my capacity as the Speaker until a newly elected President assumes office."
Shahabuddin had assumed office as the 22nd President of Bangladesh on April 24, 2023, elected unopposed as the ruling Awami League's nominee for a five-year term scheduled to end in April 2028.
Under the Bangladeshi Constitution, the Speaker serves as the interim head of state when the presidency becomes vacant.
The National Parliament is now mandated to elect a new President within the next 90 days from the day the president steps down from the position.
— ANI
Reader Comments
It seems like Bangladesh's political chessboard is shifting. Mirza Fakhrul stepping down from his party roles to run for President is a big deal. Hope this brings stability to the region, because a stable Bangladesh is good for India too.
Honestly, the president's role in Bangladesh is mostly ceremonial, but this nomination shows BNP is preparing for bigger battles ahead. The 90-day timeline for elections is tight, but I'm sure they'll manage. Let's see how this unfolds locally.
It's concerning to see President Shahabuddin resign due to health issues. I hope he recovers soon. As for the election, I just hope the process remains peaceful and constitutional. Bangladesh is like a neighbor, and we want to see it thrive.
BNP picking Fakhrul for president isn't surprising. He's been a loyal party man. But resigning from his key positions suggests the presidential role is more important to them than it looks. Let's hope this doesn't escalate tensions with the Awami League.
Every time Bangladesh goes through a political transition, I worry about the spillover effect here in West Bengal. But this seems like a constitutional process. Hopefully, Fakhrul's experience will help him handle the responsibilities well. 🤞
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