BNP to announce presidential candidate today amid speculation

Ending weeks of speculation, the ruling BNP is set to announce its presidential candidate today (Thursday, August 13), as the election to replace former President Mohammed Shahabuddin is scheduled for August 20.

Speculation over the country’s next president intensified following Shahabuddin’s resignation. Several reports have appeared in the media, while social media has been rife with speculation over who will be nominated for the post.

Much of the speculation has centered on BNP Secretary General and Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives (LGRD) Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. Names of several other senior BNP leaders have also been discussed, including Standing Committee members Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Dr Abdul Moin Khan and Goyeshwar Chandra Roy, Parliament Speaker Hafizuddin Ahmed and Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.

However, the party has yet to formally announce its candidate.

According to the election schedule, the deadline for submitting nomination papers is today. The nominations will be scrutinized on August 16, while the last date for withdrawal is August 18.

Against this backdrop, the BNP Standing Committee, the party’s highest policymaking body, is scheduled to meet at noon today to finalize the presidential candidate.

BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will preside over the meeting.

At a Standing Committee meeting on August 10, the responsibility for finalizing the party’s presidential candidate was entrusted to Tarique Rahman.

Standing Committee senior member Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain told Asia Post, “Prime Minister and party Chairman Tarique Rahman has called the Standing Committee meeting. After detailed discussion, the presidential candidacy might be announced there.”

Another Standing Committee member said the nomination papers would be signed after the meeting and a party delegation would submit them to the Election Commission.

Silence over final decision, rush at Fakhrul’s office

Meanwhile, party sources said Tarique Rahman has yet to inform Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir about the final decision regarding the presidential nomination.

Despite several media reports suggesting that Fakhrul could be the party’s choice, he has said he is unaware of any such decision.

Nevertheless, a large number of party leaders, activists, well-wishers and government officials gathered at Fakhrul’s office at the LGRD Ministry in the Secretariat on Wednesday, apparently expecting to meet him on what could be his last day as a minister if he is nominated and elected president.

Three key posts could fall vacant if Fakhrul becomes president

If Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is elected president, three important positions currently held by him would become vacant: BNP Secretary General, 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 told Asia Post, “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.”

Earlier, the BNP collected two nomination papers for the presidential election. Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni collected nomination papers separately.