Published : 20 Aug 2026, 06:58 PM
Updated : 08 Sep 2026, 09:34 AM
Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has set out his hopes for a “happy and prosperous” Bangladesh as the BNP veteran prepares for a presidential election he is widely expected to win.
Speaking to bdnews24.com by telephone on Thursday, Fakhrul reflected on the transition ahead just hours before lawmakers were due to vote in the country’s 23rd presidential election.
“I will miss many things. When I think about them, I find it difficult to contain my emotions,” he said.
“I pray to the Almighty that everyone remains well, healthy and safe, and that everyone supports the government in building a welfare-oriented state.”
Fakhrul said he hoped to see a Bangladesh where marginalised people and daily wage earners could afford two full meals a day and live safely and with dignity.
“I want to see a Bangladesh that I have long hoped for and dreamed of — a happy, prosperous and welfare-oriented state,” he said.
He also spoke of creating jobs for the country’s large young population and expanding opportunities for women to become economically self-reliant.
Fakhrul stressed that Bangladesh should establish itself internationally as a country of dignity and self-respect, adding that he believed Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s leadership could deliver the welfare-oriented state he envisioned.
He also expressed gratitude to the people of Bangladesh, the media and people from different professions, while reserving particular thanks for Tarique.
“I believe that under his leadership, Bangladesh will reach the destination we have envisioned,” he said.
Remembering Khaleda Zia
Fakhrul also became emotional while recalling former prime minister Khaleda Zia, with whom he worked closely during his long political career.
“On this day, the person I remember most, the person my heart aches for, is Begum Khaleda Zia,” he said.
“I had the opportunity to be close to this great woman leader and received her affection. Today, memories of her return to me again and again.”
Fakhrul rose through left-leaning student politics and later entered national politics through Bhasani NAP before joining the BNP.
He was elected MP for Thakurgaon-1 in 2001 and later served as state minister for agriculture and for civil aviation and tourism in Khaleda Zia’s government.
Most recently, he was serving as local government, rural development and cooperatives minister in Tarique's cabinet and as MP for Thakurgaon-1.
He resigned from his party and government posts after becoming the BNP’s presidential candidate.
Fakhrul Heavily Favoured in Vote
Voting in the presidential election is scheduled to begin in the parliament chamber at 2pm on Thursday and continue until 5pm.
Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin will serve as the election officer, while 249 MPs are eligible to vote.
Fakhrul is contesting against Liberal Democratic Party President Oli Ahmad, the candidate of the Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance.
But Fakhrul is heavily favoured to win.
The BNP holds a two-thirds majority in parliament, while Article 70 of the Constitution prevents MPs from voting against their party in parliament. That leaves Oli with little realistic path to victory unless there is an unforeseen development.
Fakhrul said he would go to parliament at 2pm to cast his ballot.
In recent days, BNP leaders and activists from Thakurgaon and other parts of northern Bangladesh have been visiting his official residence at 35 Hare Road to meet him and offer their good wishes.
He also attended a BNP parliamentary party meeting on Wednesday.
If elected president, Fakhrul’s parliamentary seat will fall vacant.
