Greetings pour in

Published : Friday, 21 August, 2026 at 12:00 AM

Staff Correspondent

As Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is set to take charge of the highest constitutional office following his victory, a chorus of greetings and congratulations rose from the Prime Minister and opposition leaders to his electoral rival, foreign missions and all spheres of people in the country.

Immediately after Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, acting as Electoral Officer, announced the result, Parliament Leader and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman rose from his seat and greeted Fakhrul, who was sitting beside him, with a red rose. Fakhrul thanked the Prime Minister for the gesture.

BNP leaders then greeted their former secretary general one after another.

* A common future for the two countries in the new era: China

* Ability and wisdom to establish justice, promote democracy, and protect the independence and sovereignty of the country: Dr Shafiqur Rahman

* Fakhrul’s leadership would help Bangladesh move towards ‘a more prosperous, just, and democratic path’: Dr Yunus

* LDP Chairman Col (retd) Oli Ahmed says Fakhrul to prioritise ‘the larger interests of the country and its citizens’

* Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader calls him experienced senior politician who had worked for democracy

* British High Commission congratulated Fakhrul, saying the UK looked forward to working with the President

Opposition Leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman also congratulated Fakhrul in a Facebook post, expressing hope that, as “guardian of the state”, he would use his “ability and wisdom to establish justice, promote democracy, and protect the independence and sovereignty of the country”.

He wished the new President good health and longevity.

Fakhrul’s electoral rival, LDP Chairman Col (retd) Oli Ahmed, congratulated him, saying their long political journey had been marked by shared commitments to “democracy, freedom, sovereignty, civil rights and protecting national interests".

Oli said the competitive election had broken a 35-year pattern of uncontested presidential polls and urged Fakhrul to prioritise "the larger interests of the country and its citizens" above partisan considerations.

He also called for neutrality on accountability, inclusive national dialogue and the referendum verdict on state reforms.

"Even though the presidential election is over, the struggle to protect the rights of the people, democratic values, accountability and national interests does not end," Oli said.

Former interim government Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus congratulated Fakhrul, noting that his political career spans more than five decades and is closely linked to Bangladesh's political history.

Yunus highlighted Fakhrul's organisational ability, crisis leadership and grassroots experience, expressing hope that his presidency would help Bangladesh move towards "a more prosperous, just, and democratic path".

Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader described Fakhrul as an experienced senior politician who had worked for democracy, parliamentary politics and people's rights. He hoped the new President would prioritise national interests, political stability, rule of law and national unity.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh Ameer Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim urged Fakhrul to rise "above party and opinion" and discharge his constitutional responsibilities in the national interest.

He said the President, as a symbol of national unity and public trust, should remain above partisan considerations.