Mirza Fakhrul breaks down in tears at farewell meeting in Parliament

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, the BNP nominated candidate for president, effectively spent his last day with his party colleagues. A day before the presidential election, he broke down in tears in front of his colleagues. At one point, the former BNP secretary general became emotional while delivering his farewell remarks.

Mirza Fakhrul said, “I will always maintain a close relationship with the party leaders and activists. If elected president, I will perform my duties with honesty and dedication. I will not do anything against democracy, freedom, or sovereignty.”

Mirza Fakhrul made the remarks at a meeting of the BNP parliamentary party on the ninth floor of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Wednesday afternoon.

Mirza Fakhrul cried during the meeting, and everyone present also broke down in tears during his emotional remarks. Several senior BNP leaders who attended the meeting told Agamir Somoy this.

At the meeting, BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman sought votes from the members of Parliament for Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, the party's candidate for president. The prime minister also respectfully recalled Mirza Fakhrul's contribution to maintaining party unity during its most difficult times.

The meeting began at 4 pm and lasted about half an hour. Tarique Rahman, the Leader of the House, presided over the meeting. Of the BNP's 247 members of Parliament, 245 were present.

At the beginning of the meeting, Chief Whip of the Jatiya Sangsad and BNP Vice Chairman Nurul Islam Moni gave the MPs a detailed explanation of the voting process for the presidential election. He also reminded the party's MPs of Article 70 of the Constitution and sought votes for Mirza Fakhrul Islam.

The Chief Whip informed the MPs that the presidential election would be held on Thursday and that Mirza Fakhrul Islam himself would also cast his vote. If elected president and after assuming office, his Thakurgaon 1 constituency will become vacant.

Article 70 of the Constitution deals with the circumstances under which a parliamentary seat becomes vacant because of resignation from a political party or voting against the party.

After the Chief Whip, newly outgoing BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir addressed the meeting. At the beginning of his speech, he expressed gratitude to BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman for nominating him for the presidency. He also remembered the late BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. He said, “I am missing her more today.”

Mirza Fakhrul also said that if elected president, he would greatly miss his colleagues.