As part of its preparation for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has announced its list of 237 nominated candidates. According to the announcement, BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia will contest from three constituencies, while the party’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will each contest from one constituency.However, following the announcement, protests and demonstrations erupted in several areas over the exclusion of some aspirants. Amid this situation, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir made an emotional statement, saying, “This is my last election. Those who did not receive nominations—please have faith, InshaAllah, the party will entrust you with due responsibility and respect.”
He made the remarks in a post from his verified Facebook page on Tuesday (November 3).
In his post, Mirza Fakhrul wrote,
“By the grace of Almighty Allah, BNP has nominated me to contest from Thakurgaon-1. I extend my heartfelt gratitude and thanks to Begum Khaleda Zia, Tarique Rahman, and all our senior leaders. I also thank all the dedicated activists who have stood by me throughout my political life.”
Reflecting on his decades in politics, the BNP leader wrote,
“Those of us who have spent our lives in politics and even in prison—we all have our own stories. Many don’t know mine. In 1987, when I decided to return to politics, my two daughters were very young, studying in Dhaka. My wife was also very young then. She was shocked at first, realizing the uncertain and perilous life we were stepping into.”
He continued,
“It was she who took our daughters to school and to the doctor, holding their hands. I still remember when my elder daughter was about to undergo surgery—I spent the entire night in a car on my way to Dhaka, just to be near her. I prayed in a mosque while her operation was underway. Those were difficult times.”
In a message to party members and nomination-deprived aspirants, Mirza Fakhrul wrote,
“Perhaps I’ll share more of these stories another day, if Allah wills. This will be my last election. To those who didn’t get nominations, please keep faith—InshaAllah, the party will give you the responsibilities and honor you deserve. Pray for me, for every leader and activist of our party. Together, we will continue to stand by you, InshaAllah.”