Who will be the president?

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is waiting to form a government after winning an absolute victory in the 13th national parliamentary election. The party is going to formally take charge through the oath-taking of newly elected members of parliament and cabinet members on Tuesday (February 17). On the eve of the formation of the new government, discussions have now come up - who will be the next president of the country.

In this case, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, party standing committee members Dr. Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Dr. Abdul Moin Khan and Nazrul Islam Khan are in the discussion from the party level. Among them, the names of Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain are being heard the most strongly.

There is a discussion in the political arena that the current President Md. Shahabuddin may resign after the new government takes office. He was elected president unopposed in 2023 on the nomination of the Awami League. According to the constitution, his term is supposed to last until April 2028.

However, in an interview with Reuters last December, he said, "All consulates, embassies and high commissions had portraits and pictures of the president. Suddenly, they were removed overnight. This sent the wrong message to people that the president was probably being removed. I felt very humiliated by this."

However, Md. Sahabuddin, who said he would remain in office until the election, said, "I should continue to fulfill my duties until the election. Since I am constitutionally in the position of president, I am fulfilling my duties."

Among the potential candidates, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has been in the central leadership of the BNP for a long time. He was elected as a member of parliament in 2001 and also served as a state minister. Later, he took charge as the party's secretary general and is currently playing an important role in party policymaking.

Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain has been elected as a member of parliament four times and is the senior member of the party's standing committee. According to party sources, he is known as a leader with a relatively quiet and less controversial profile.

Nazrul Islam Khan has served as the convener of the party's election management committee. However, there is also a proposal within the party to keep him as the Prime Minister's political advisor.

On the other hand, Abdul Moin Khan has also been elected as a member of parliament several times and has served in various ministries. He is also a member of the BNP's standing committee.

In all, one person from this list can be nominated as the president. The final decision on this matter can be clear immediately after the swearing-in of the cabinet.