Bangladesh lawmakers elect BNP's Alamgir as president
The longtime opposition figure's party came to power after the 2024 revolution, which ousted the government of Sheikh Hasina.
Bangladesh's parliament has chosen BNP Secretary General, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, as the nation's new president. The ruling BNP, which holds a majority greater than two-thirds in the parliament, elected Alamgir for the largely symbolic position, defeating Oli Ahmed, a retired army officer who is part of the opposition Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance.
The election follows the resignation of former President Mohammed Shahabuddin due to health issues in July. In February, BNP's Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's party won a decisive victory in the polls following Hasina's 2024 ouster. In a statement to reporters, the 78-year-old Alamgir expressed gratitude, stating, "I never thought that I would become the president; it is the infinite grace of the party and almighty Allah."
Despite facing numerous politically motivated charges under the Hasina government, Alamgir has been praised for keeping the BNP organized and maintaining its political presence during challenging times.
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