Play store
BNP’s newly former Secretary General and presidential candidate Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir broke down in tears several times while delivering his farewell speech at a meeting of the party’s parliamentary group. He sought prayers from party leaders and lawmakers and urged them to vote for him in the presidential election.
At the meeting, BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman also urged the party’s lawmakers to vote for Mirza Fakhrul. At the same time, he cautioned them to maintain party unity ahead of the upcoming local government elections and not allow the gap between lawmakers and grassroots leaders to widen, according to witnesses present at the meeting.
The meeting of the BNP parliamentary group was held at the government party meeting room of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Wednesday. Chaired by the prime minister, the meeting began at 2pm and lasted around one and a half hours.
According to sources, Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni delivered the welcome speech. He briefed the lawmakers in detail on the voting procedure for the presidential election and sought their votes for Mirza Fakhrul Islam. He informed the lawmakers that the presidential election would be held on Thursday and that Mirza Fakhrul himself would cast his vote. If elected president and assuming office, his Thakurgaon-3 constituency would fall vacant.
Several lawmakers who attended the meeting said BNP’s outgoing Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir stood up to speak after the chief whip. He became emotional and broke down in tears at the very beginning of his speech. He recalled BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and expressed his gratitude to her. He also paid tribute to BNP founder and former president Ziaur Rahman. He expressed gratitude to party Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman as well.
Recalling his long tenure in the BNP as senior joint secretary general, acting secretary general and secretary general, Mirza Fakhrul said he was sorry if he had made any mistakes during his time in office or unintentionally hurt anyone’s feelings. He said that the party had given him honour and responsibilities, and that he would protect that honour at the cost of his life if necessary. He also said he would never compromise on the issues of the country’s independence and sovereignty.
Saying that he would miss his colleagues after moving to Bangabhaban, Mirza Fakhrul sought everyone’s prayers. He also urged the party lawmakers to vote for him in the presidential election.
