From Mayor to President: Mirza Fakhrul’s Journey
Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, who began his political career at the grassroots level in Thakurgaon, is now set to become Bangladesh’s 23rd president, with the formal election scheduled for August 20. Mr. Fakhrul started politics during his student days at the University of Dhaka and later worked as a college teacher and government official. He entered active politics after resigning from government service in 1986. In 1988, he was elected chairman of Thakurgaon municipality, marking his entry into mainstream politics. He joined the BNP during the anti-Ershad movement in the early 1990s and rose through the party’s ranks. He became a member of parliament from Thakurgaon-1 in the 2001 general election and served as state minister for agriculture and later for civil aviation and tourism. He became BNP senior joint secretary general in 2009, acting secretary general in 2011 and secretary general in 2016. After the BNP formed the government following the 13th parliamentary election in February 2026, Mr. Fakhrul became minister for local government, rural development and cooperatives while continuing as the party’s secretary general.
Nominated for Presidency
After weeks of speculation, BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Mr. Tarique Rahman finalised Mr. Fakhrul’s candidacy following discussions with senior party leaders. BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Mr. Ruhul Kabir Rizvi formally announced the decision. Mr. Fakhrul resigned as BNP secretary general and as a member of the party’s standing committee after becoming the presidential candidate. BNP representatives subsequently submitted his nomination papers to the Election Commission. Mr. Rizvi said, “We are pleased to announce that BNP Secretary General (resigned) Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has been nominated as the party’s presidential candidate. Our chairman and Prime Minister Mr. Tarique Rahman has taken this decision.” Mr. Rizvi said the party chairman had already been authorised by the standing committee to finalise the candidate.
Two Candidates in Presidential Race
Two candidates have submitted three nomination papers for the presidential election. Mr. Fakhrul submitted one nomination, while the 11-party alliance led by Jamaat nominated LDP Chairman Colonel (retd) Mr. Oli Ahmed, who submitted two nomination papers. Chief Election Commissioner Mr. A M M Nasir Uddin received the papers. Election Commission Senior Secretary Mr. Akhtar Ahmed said the nominations would be scrutinised on August 16, after which their validity would be announced. Mr. Akhtar said, “We have two contestants. We will scrutinise the nomination papers from 10am on August 16.” The election will be held from 2pm to 5pm on August 20 in the Jatiya Sangsad chamber. Under Article 70 of the Constitution, MPs cannot vote against their party, while the BNP holds a two-thirds majority in Parliament, making Mr. Fakhrul the overwhelming favourite.
BNP Standing Committee Member Mr. Gayeshwar Chandra Roy said the presidential election was separate from the referendum and praised the opposition candidate for participating. “We may say they are participating despite knowing they will lose, but by not rejecting the presidential election and taking part in it, they have strengthened the beauty of democracy,” Mr. Roy said. BNP Chief Whip Mr. Nurul Islam Moni said, “Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has been nominated by our party and alliance. We want to elect him president on the 20th.”
Long Political Career
Born in Thakurgaon in 1948, Mr. Fakhrul studied economics at the University of Dhaka. He joined the BCS Education Cadre in 1972 and began his career as a lecturer at Dhaka College. He later served at several government colleges and worked in the Inspection and Audit Directorate. In the late 1970s, he served as private secretary to then Deputy Prime Minister S A Bari under the administration of President Ziaur Rahman. He later returned to teaching before resigning from government service and entering active politics. Mr. Fakhrul became Thakurgaon district BNP president in 1992 and subsequently held several central party positions. He also served as president of the Jatiyatabadi Krishak Dal before becoming BNP senior joint secretary general. In the 2018 parliamentary election, he won the Bogura-6 seat but did not take the oath as an MP in line with the party’s decision, resulting in the seat being declared vacant.
As BNP secretary general, Mr. Fakhrul became one of the party’s most visible leaders during its prolonged anti-government movement. He led party activities, press conferences, political programmes and negotiations with allies while BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia was imprisoned and ill and Mr. Tarique Rahman remained abroad. He was arrested several times during his political career, including after clashes in Naya Paltan in December 2022. Following the BNP’s return to power in 2026, Mr. Fakhrul continued to play a central role in government and party politics. His nomination for president now marks the culmination of a political journey from grassroots politics and a municipal mayoralty to the country’s highest constitutional office.
