Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Thursday said newly elected President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was the best choice for the country’s highest constitutional office, describing him as an experienced political leader.
Reacting to Fakhrul’s election as the 23rd President of Bangladesh, Khosru said the BNP leader had spent his political career fighting for democracy and enduring repression and imprisonment.
“Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is, through and through, a political personality. There could hardly have been a better choice,” he told journalists in front of Parliament after the election result was announced.
“He has gone through a long struggle, endured imprisonment and repression, and fought against authoritarianism, sacrificing and suffering throughout his life,” the finance minister said.
Khosru said Fakhrul had played a leading role in democratic movements and described him as an honest and competent person.
“I am happy that such a person is going to occupy the President’s Office,” he said.
The finance minister said Fakhrul’s election reflected the return of democratic practices in Bangladesh.
“We have been talking about democracy for so long, and today we are seeing its reflection. I think people had almost forgotten when Bangladesh last had a real presidential election,” he said.
“Today, a President has been elected by an elected Parliament. This is also a major achievement for us,” he added.
Khosru said democratic processes and culture must be sustained to realise the vision of building the Bangladesh envisioned by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
He said BNP leaders and activists had fought, suffered and made sacrifices to restore democracy, while people across the country had also endured repression and made sacrifices for the cause.
“We must continue this democratic journey and sustain the culture of democracy. If this continues, Insha-Allah, we will all be able to build the Bangladesh that our Prime Minister has envisioned,” he said.
Asked about his expectations from the new President, Khosru said Fakhrul had long been a torchbearer of democracy and expressed hope that he would continue to play the same role from the presidential office.
“He is coming here today as a torchbearer of democracy. The role he played in the past to ensure that democracy continues will remain the same,” he said.
Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was elected Bangladesh’s 23rd President after securing 255 votes in the presidential election held at Parliament on Thursday.
