At the meeting, BNP chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman also asked party lawmakers to vote for Mirza Fakhrul. He also stressed keeping the party united ahead of the upcoming local government elections and not increasing the distance between lawmakers and grassroots. Multiple sources present at the meeting confirmed this information.
The meeting of the BNP parliamentary party was held on Wednesday (August 19) at the ruling party's meeting room in the National Parliament building. The meeting lasted about one and a half hours from 2 pm under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni delivered the welcome speech at the meeting. He informed lawmakers in detail about the voting procedure in the presidential election and sought votes in favor of Mirza Fakhrul Islam. He said the presidential election will be held tomorrow, Thursday. Mirza Fakhrul Islam himself will also cast his vote. If he is elected president and takes charge, his Thakurgaon-3 seat will fall vacant.
Then the outgoing secretary general of BNP, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, stood up to speak. Several lawmakers present at the meeting said he became emotional and began to cry at the very beginning of his speech.
In his speech, Mirza Fakhrul remembered late BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and expressed gratitude to her. He also remembered the party's founder and former president Ziaur Rahman with respect. He also expressed gratitude to the party chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
Mirza Fakhrul mentioned serving for a long time as senior joint secretary general, acting secretary general, and secretary general after joining BNP. He said if he had made any mistake during his tenure or unknowingly hurt anyone's feelings, he apologizes.
He further said, however much honor and responsibility the party has given him, he will protect that honor even at the cost of his life. He will not compromise on the country's independence and sovereignty.
Mirza Fakhrul also said he will miss his colleagues after taking charge at Bangabhaban. He sought prayers from everyone and requested party lawmakers to vote for him in the presidential election.
According to lawmakers present at the meeting, Mirza Fakhrul cried four or five times during the few-minute speech. This created an emotional atmosphere in the meeting. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman also became emotional at that time.
If elected president and taking charge, Mirza Fakhrul will no longer be able to participate in BNP parliamentary party meetings. Therefore, with a tearful voice he delivered his final address to the parliamentary party.
Then Prime Minister Tarique Rahman spoke. He said, ‘Today is a historic day. We have come this far paying a heavy price.’ He thanked Allah for this.
Tarique Rahman said if the democratic advancement continues in the country, accountability can be established everywhere in the state. Everyone must remember that accountability in running the state is extremely important.
Highlighting the long political life of Mirza Fakhrul Islam, the Prime Minister said he has been associated with the party for many years. During the party's difficult times, he performed his duties courageously and never gave up. He also had to be imprisoned during this period. Unfortunately, Tarique Rahman had to remain outside the country at that time.
The Prime Minister urged party lawmakers to vote for Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir to get him elected president. Calling Thursday's presidential election important, he urged everyone to remain united and disciplined. He especially emphasized preserving the party's organizational unity.
Tarique Rahman also warned lawmakers about the upcoming local government elections. He said a distance is being created between many lawmakers and party leaders and activists in their areas. Everyone must remain cautious about this and this distance must not be allowed to increase in any way.
Tarique Rahman further said this time the local government election will be held without party symbols. So this election will be challenging. In the last parliamentary election, the party suffered because many people contested against the party's candidate. This time, preparations must be made from now so that no one stands against the party-backed candidate.
The Prime Minister also emphasized fielding acceptable and competent candidates at the local level. He said efforts should be made to nominate qualified and acceptable individuals and ensure their victory.
Ahead of the presidential election, Mirza Fakhrul's emotional farewell speech and Tarique Rahman's strict organizational message regarding the local government election—both issues received importance in the BNP parliamentary party meeting. Throughout the entire meeting, preserving party unity, discipline, and organizational strength received importance.
BNP standing committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Abdul Moin Khan, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud, Selima Rahman, A Z M Zahid Hossain and party lawmakers were present at the meeting.
