When the movement for the independence of Bangladesh was launched in 1971, he played an active role in the organization of leftist freedom fighters. During this period he took refuge in India for some time.
Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, the candidate of the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) of the eastern neighboring country Bangladesh, has been elected as the new President of the country today (Thursday, August 20). In the contest for this post in the country for the first time in 35 years, 78-year-old Alamgir secured 255 votes. Chief Election Commissioner and Election Officer A.M.M. Nasir Uddin said the senior BNP leader defeated his rival Colonel (retd) Oli Ahmed, president of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and a candidate of the Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party opposition alliance.
He said Alamgir got 255 votes, while Oli Ahmed got 88 votes. He said that out of total 349 registered voters, 343 voted while six MPs did not vote. The newly elected President will take oath as the new President of Bangladesh at the Durbar Hall of Bangabhaban on Friday evening.
This is the first election since 1991 in which there was competition
This is the first contested presidential election in Bangladesh since 1991. In the last few decades, selection for this post has generally been unanimous or unopposed. Mohammad Shahabuddin, a close aide of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, had resigned last month due to health reasons before the completion of his five-year term.
Who is Fakhrul Islam Alamgir?
Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is a senior Bangladeshi politician and the longest serving General Secretary of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). After his election as President, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has now been made the General Secretary of the party. Alamgir’s political journey has been very interesting. He started his political career in student politics in the 1960s. He started student politics at Dhaka University in the 1960s and was an active member of the then East Pakistan Students Union (EPSU).
Why did you take refuge in India?
When the movement for the independence of Bangladesh was launched in 1971, he played an active role in the organization of leftist freedom fighters. During this period he took refuge in India for some time. Another interesting information about Alamgir is that before entering politics completely, he was in the government civil service. He was working as an economics teacher since 1972. Later, in 1986, he left his job and entered active politics. In 2001, he was elected MP from Thakurgaon-1 constituency for the first time and became the Minister of State for Agriculture and Civil Aviation and Tourism in the government of Khaleda Zia.
is called the party’s troubleshooter
He is called the party’s troubleshooter. When top BNP leaders were being jailed during Sheikh Hasina’s regime, Alamgir played a big role in keeping the party united. Alamgir is known for his decent and liberal image. He was born on 26 January 1948 in Thakurgaon district. His father Mirza Ruhul Amin was also a well-known lawyer and parliamentarian. Alamgir’s wife Rahat Ara Begum studied at Calcutta University. He has two daughters, one of whom is a medical scientist and the other a school teacher in Dhaka.
