Mirza Fakhrul resignes from party’s secretary general and member posts

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has resigned from the posts of the BNP secretary general and the party’s member posts as his presidential candidacy formally announced.

The ruling party on Thursday (13 August) finalised Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir’s name as its presidential candidate.

The decision came during the BNP's senior leaders meeting with its Chairman and the Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Secretariat.

BNP Senior Joint-Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi revealed the decision to journalists after the meeting in the secretariat at the noon.

Rizvi said, “We are pleased to inform you that our party, the BNP, has nominated its Secretary General and Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives (LGRD) Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir as its candidate for the upcoming presidential election.”

Prime Minster and BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman nominated the party’s Secterary General and Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives (LGRD) Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir as the candidate for the upcoming Presidential election, he said.

Rizvi said, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has resigned from the party’s secretary general and party’s member posts in this regards.

After Mirza Fakhrul’s nomination finalisig as presidential candidate, several important positions currently held by him would become vacant: BNP secretary general, standing committee member, LGRD minister and Member of Parliament for Thakurgaon-1.

Discussions are already underway within the party over who could take over these responsibilities.

Sources said LGRD State Minister Mir Shahe Alam could initially run the ministry, while Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed may be given additional responsibility for the ministry.

Meanwhile, the party’s acting secretary general could be entrusted to Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. Alternatively, the position could remain vacant until the next BNP council.

The party chairman would also have to fill any vacant Standing Committee positions created if a committee member is nominated for president, as well as the position vacated by the current Parliament Speaker if he is selected for the presidency.

Meanwhile, BNP Thakurgaon district unit President and Mirza Fakhrul’s younger brother, Mirza Faisal Amin, could be nominated to contest the parliamentary seat if Fakhrul leaves it.

Asked about the possibility of becoming the party’s acting secretary general, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said, “I am working with 100 percent loyalty to the party. The party chairman and the highest policymaking body will decide what responsibility is assigned to me or others.”