‘Pray for me’: Fakhrul breaks down in tears as he leaves parliament for Bangabhaban

BNP presidential candidate Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir became emotional while addressing the party’s parliamentary meeting today (19 August), asking fellow lawmakers to vote for him in tomorrow’s presidential election and to pray for him.

During the party’s parliamentary meeting held at Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, Fakhrul said he would uphold the honour and responsibility entrusted to him, even at the cost of his life.

Fakhrul recalled BNP founder Ziaur Rahman and former prime minister Khaleda Zia in his speech and thanked Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman for entrusting him with the responsibility.

“I apologise for any mistakes I may have made during my long years of service to the party. I will uphold the honour and responsibility entrusted to me, even at the cost of my life,” he added.

Several lawmakers who attended the meeting said Fakhrul cried several times during his speech, creating an emotional atmosphere. Prime Minister Tarique also became emotional, they said.

Fakhrul said he would miss his colleagues after moving to Bangabhaban and asked them to pray for him. He also urged BNP lawmakers to vote for him in the presidential election.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni said the parliamentary party meeting also sought votes from all BNP lawmakers for Fakhrul.

Tarique, after consulting senior party leaders, nominated Fakhrul for the presidency, he added.

Presidential vote to be livestreamed

The presidential election today will be livestreamed, with voting scheduled from 2pm to 5pm, Nurul Islam Moni said.

He also said that the Election Commission and Parliament have jointly decided to begin the livestream five minutes before voting starts.

The voting of the president, speaker, prime minister, opposition leader and presidential candidates will also be broadcast live. The rest of the voting process will be recorded, including the vote counting and announcement of the result, he added.

“The presidential election will create a historic moment tomorrow and mark a new journey for democracy,” the chief whip said.

Fakhrul and Colonel (retd) Oli Ahmed are contesting the election.

Moni expressed hope that Fakhrul would be elected president. He said the president-elect would take oath at Bangabhaban at 7:30pm on 21 August.

Tarique asks MPs to back Fakhrul

Prime Minister Tarique also addressed the meeting after Fakhrul’s speech and urged BNP lawmakers to vote for him.

He also cautioned lawmakers about the upcoming local government elections, which will be held without party symbols.

The elections will be challenging, Tarique said, warning lawmakers not to allow distance to grow between them and party activists in their constituencies.

He urged MPs to start working now to prevent anyone from contesting against party-backed candidates, as happened in the parliamentary election.

The party should nominate acceptable candidates and work to ensure their victory, he said.

Tarique also reminded lawmakers that the party had suffered when some members contested against its nominated candidates in the parliamentary election.