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President Droupadi Murmu on Friday congratulated Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on his election as the 23rd President of Bangladesh, expressing confidence that his long experience in public life and political leadership would herald a successful tenure in service of the people.

President Murmu's Congratulatory Message

In a message to Alamgir, who is considered a political stalwart in Bangladesh, President Murmu said India and Bangladesh share a "unique relationship", rooted in a shared history of sacrifices, close cultural ties and warm bonds of friendship.

"Excellency, I extend to you my warm congratulations on your assumption of office as the President of the People's Republic of Bangladesh. I am confident that your long experience of public life and political leadership heralds a successful tenure in service of the people of Bangladesh," President Murmu said.

She said bilateral ties between the two neighbouring countries have in recent years expanded into several areas, including energy, technology, connectivity, youth affairs, health and education. "India and Bangladesh share a unique relationship, rooted in a shared history of sacrifices, close cultural ties and warm bonds of friendship. In recent times, our bilateral ties have steadily expanded to several areas such as energy, technology, connectivity, youth affairs, health and education. I look forward to working with you to further strengthen the partnership between our two neighbouring countries," she added.

President Murmu also conveyed her best wishes to Alamgir for his good health and the continued progress and prosperity of the people of Bangladesh. "Please accept, Excellency, my best wishes for your continued good health and happiness, for the successful discharge of your responsibilities, as well as for the continued progress and prosperity of the people of Bangladesh," the statement further added.

Alamgir Sworn in as 23rd President

Alamgir, a veteran Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader, was sworn in as Bangladesh's 23rd President at a ceremony held at Bangabhaban in Dhaka earlier today. His elevation to the presidency marks a significant political transition, as the veteran BNP leader moves from the party's organisational leadership to Bangladesh's highest constitutional office. He took the oath of office at the Darbar Hall of Bangabhaban in the presence of the Speaker of Parliament, the Prime Minister, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, cabinet members, foreign dignitaries and senior civil and military officials. The oath was administered by Deputy Speaker of Parliament Kaiser Kamal.

A Look at Alamgir's Political Career

According to The Daily Star, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was born in Thakurgaon on January 26, 1948, and comes from a political family. He graduated in economics from Dhaka University and entered politics as a left-leaning student activist during the anti-Ayub Khan movement. After Bangladesh's independence, Alamgir briefly worked as a teacher before leaving government service.

In 1988, he was elected chairman of Thakurgaon municipality as an independent candidate. He joined the BNP in the early 1990s during the anti-Ershad movement and became president of the Thakurgaon district BNP in 1992.

Alamgir contested the 1991 and 1996 parliamentary elections from Thakurgaon-1 but lost both contests. He eventually won the constituency in 2001. From 2001 to 2006, he served as State Minister for Agriculture and Civil Aviation and Tourism. He lost the 2008 parliamentary election. In the 2018 elections, the BNP nominated him from both Thakurgaon-1 and Bogura-6. He won from Bogura-6 but declined to take the oath as a member of Parliament.

Alamgir rose to the position of Senior Joint Secretary General of the BNP in 2009 and became Acting Secretary General in 2011. He was formally elected Secretary General in 2016 and remained in the post until August 13 this year, when the BNP nominated him for the presidency, according to The Daily Star. During the tenure of Hasina, Alamgir was jailed at least 11 times and spent around three years in prison in total, according to The Daily Star.

Details of the Presidential Election

Alamgir was elected President on Thursday after securing 255 votes in Bangladesh's presidential election. He defeated Oli Ahmed, the candidate backed by an 11-party opposition alliance led by far-right Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and the country's first major student-led political party, National Citizen Party (NCP), who received 88 votes.

According to the Bangladesh Election Commission, 343 of the 349 eligible lawmakers cast their ballots under the supervision of Chief Election Commissioner ASM Nasir Uddin.

The election was significant, as it marked the first time in 35 years that more than one candidate contested Bangladesh's presidential election. Between 1996 and 2023, eight presidents were elected unopposed in Bangladesh, with ruling-party candidates winning each time.

Alamgir's election followed his nomination by the BNP as its presidential candidate last week. Following his nomination, he resigned as BNP Secretary General and stepped down from the party's National Standing Committee.

The election was necessitated by the resignation of Awami League-nominated former President Mohammad Shahabuddin, who stepped down from office last month, citing serious health complications. He submitted his resignation to Parliament Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed on July 24, following which the Speaker assumed the duties of the President in accordance with Article 54 of the Bangladesh Constitution. Shahabuddin, 76, had served as President since April 2023 after being elected unopposed as the nominee of the then-ruling Awami League under former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. (ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)