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BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday said the party’s nominee for the presidency would be decided by its Standing Committee in accordance with the Constitution, dismissing speculation over potential candidates.
Speaking to reporters while attending the 36th Annual Planning Conference of the Rural Development Academy (RDA) in Sherpur upazila of Bogura, Fakhrul said the matter would be settled through the party’s internal decision-making process.
“The BNP will hold a meeting. The Standing Committee will discuss the issue and make a decision. Only then will the party’s nominee be known,” he said.
Asked about media speculation linking his own name to the presidency, Fakhrul declined to comment directly.
“Please allow the constitutional process to take its course. Whatever decision the party makes in line with the Constitution will be final,” he said.
The presidential election has become a key political issue following the resignation of President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Friday, nearly two years before the end of his five-year term. Shahabuddin cited serious health complications as the reason for stepping down.
Under the Constitution, Parliament must elect a new President within 90 days of the vacancy. Until then, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed is serving as Acting President under Article 54 of the Constitution.
Earlier at the conference, Fakhrul, who also serves as Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, stressed that sustainable national development requires improving farmers’ livelihoods rather than focusing solely on infrastructure.
He said many marginal farmers continue to receive unfair prices for their produce despite working hard, discouraging people from pursuing agriculture. He called for practical measures to help farmers market their products directly and reduce the role of middlemen.
The minister also underscored the need for greater investment in agricultural research and the rapid expansion of modern farming technologies, saying many valuable innovations remain underutilised due to inadequate promotion.
Encouraging young people to explore agriculture-based entrepreneurship instead of relying solely on traditional employment, Fakhrul said Bangladesh’s youth possess the creativity and innovation needed to strengthen the rural economy. He urged stronger collaboration with the private sector to commercialise research and expand the use of new technologies in agriculture.
