If Fakhrul becomes president, two BNP posts may fall vacant; Rizvi in discussion

With BNP Secretary General and Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir set to become the next president, discussions are underway within and outside the party over who may serve as its acting secretary general. There is also speculation over who may replace Fakhrul in the cabinet and who may be nominated in a by-election to his parliamentary constituency.

Several members of the BNP Standing Committee said that if Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir becomes the next president, someone may initially be given responsibility as the party’s acting secretary general. Apart from that, there is little possibility of changes in the party or the ministry he currently oversees. At the same time, his becoming president would leave a post vacant on the BNP Standing Committee. Another post became vacant earlier when Major (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed became speaker. Therefore, there may be scope to appoint new members to the two vacant positions in the party’s highest policymaking body.

A source close to the BNP chairman, speaking on condition of anonymity, said preparations are underway to hold the party’s national council in late November or December. Therefore, the party may not fill the vacant Standing Committee positions at this time.

“There is also a possibility that a relatively younger person could become the secretary general. A leader who is friendly to party workers will be given greater priority for the post. I believe the secretary general could be someone preferred by our chairman Tarique Rahman and someone who can work well with him,” BNP Vice Chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu said.

Party sources said Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi is the frontrunner to become BNP’s acting secretary general if Mirza Fakhrul assumes the presidency.

The names of BNP Vice Chairman Abdul Awal Mintoo, Mohammad Shahjahan, Shamsuzzaman Dudu, chairman’s adviser Zainul Abdin Farroque and Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi are also being discussed for the vacant Standing Committee position.

BNP Vice Chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu said, “There is also a possibility that a relatively younger person could become the secretary general. A leader who is friendly to party workers will be given greater priority for the post. I believe the secretary general could be someone preferred by our chairman Tarique Rahman and someone who can work well with him.”

“I am working with complete loyalty to the party. I am still standing beside the party’s leaders and workers following the instructions of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and current Prime Minister Tarique Rahman,” Prime Minister’s Adviser and BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said.

A BNP source said Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed, who has been appointed the prime minister’s political adviser, is currently the leading candidate in discussions over the party’s next secretary general. Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed and Joint Secretary General Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel are also being considered for the post. However, the final decision will depend on BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman.

Asked about the matter, Prime Minister’s Adviser and BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said, “I am working with complete loyalty to the party. I am still standing beside the party’s leaders and workers following the instructions of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and current Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.”

Asked whether the party had made any decision regarding the acting secretary general, Rizvi said, “I know nothing about it. The BNP chairman, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, and the party’s policymakers will decide whatever responsibility the party assigns to me.”

“If Secretary General and Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir becomes president, Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed is the most likely candidate for acting secretary general. I say ‘likely’ because among those who have led the party on the streets and kept it united against the fascist Awami League government over the past 17 years, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi’s contribution has been the greatest,” BNP Joint Secretary General Abdus Salam Azad said.

Meanwhile, sources linked to the Ministry of Public Administration said Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir would also vacate his ministerial post if he becomes president. This could create an opportunity for a new face to take charge of the Local Government Ministry.

A source at the Prime Minister’s Office said current State Minister for Local Government Shahe Alam could be promoted to a full minister. The name of current Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed is also being considered for the Local Government Ministry. However, no formal or informal decision has yet been made regarding such cabinet changes. Rather, the matter is expected to become clearer once the presidential election process is finalised.

Meanwhile, Mirza Fakhrul’s parliamentary seat would also become vacant if he becomes president. This has sparked curiosity among party leaders and workers over who the BNP would nominate in the resulting by-election. Discussions are particularly focused on whether a member of Fakhrul’s family would be nominated or whether the party would nominate someone else.

BNP Joint Secretary General Abdus Salam Azad said, “If Secretary General and Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir becomes president, Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed is the most likely candidate for acting secretary general. I say ‘likely’ because among those who have led the party on the streets and kept it united against the fascist Awami League government over the past 17 years, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi’s contribution has been the greatest.”

Asked about the matter, he said, “There is discussion that Ruhul Kabir Rizvi will become the acting secretary general if Mirza Fakhrul becomes president. At the same time, there is also discussion that the party chairman may appoint anyone as acting secretary general. The chairman has that authority under the party constitution.”

SKS