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Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, whose political journey began in his student days, is now poised to assume the nation’s highest constitutional office, the presidency. This follows a five-decade-long career in politics that has seen him serve as a teacher, government official, municipal chairman, Member of Parliament, State Minister, Minister, and for a long period, Secretary-General of the BNP.
Mirza Fakhrul’s candidacy for president was finalized on Thursday (August 13) following a meeting between BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and senior leaders. His nomination papers were submitted to the Election Commission on the same day. Following his nomination, he resigned from his cabinet position, as well as his roles as BNP Secretary-General and a member of the National Standing Committee.
With the BNP holding a more than two-thirds majority in the current parliament, Mirza Fakhrul’s election as president is highly probable. Colonel (retd.) Oli Ahmad, Chairman of the LDP, has also announced his candidacy on behalf of the Jamaat-led 11-party alliance. If there are multiple candidates in the end, the presidential election will be held in parliament on August 20.
Beginning with Student Politics
Mirza Fakhrul was born in Thakurgaon on January 26, 1948. While studying economics at Dhaka University, he became involved in student union politics. During the mass uprising of 1969, he served as the president of the organization’s Dhaka University branch.
After completing his studies, he taught at Dhaka College before joining government service. In 1979, he served as the private secretary to the then Deputy Prime Minister S. A. Bari. He left government service in 1986 to return to active politics.
From Grassroots to National Politics
In 1988, Mirza Fakhrul was elected Chairman of Thakurgaon Municipality. In the early 1990s, he joined the BNP and became the president of the Thakurgaon district BNP. He gradually rose through the party’s central leadership.
In the 2001 general election, he was elected Member of Parliament from Thakurgaon-1 constituency and served as State Minister for the Ministries of Agriculture and Civil Aviation and Tourism.
Leading BNP Through Difficult Times
Mirza Fakhrul became the Acting Secretary-General of the BNP in 2011, and officially assumed the role of Secretary-General in 2016. He has since led the party for nearly a decade.
Fakhrul played a crucial role in the BNP’s organizational and political activities during Khaleda Zia’s imprisonment and Tarique Rahman’s stay abroad. He was also imprisoned multiple times in connection with political programs.
Now Awaiting the Presidency
Throughout his long political career, Mirza Fakhrul has held various responsibilities, from student leader to teacher, government official, municipal chairman, Member of Parliament, State Minister, and BNP Secretary-General. Now, the presidency of the country awaits to be added to this extensive journey.
According to BNP leaders, his nomination for the presidency is a recognition of his long leadership during the party’s challenging times. Political observers believe his victory in the August 20 vote is largely assured due to the party’s parliamentary majority.