BNP has no official knowledge yet about who will be next president: Rizvi
Rizvi made the comments while talking to journalists after paying tribute alongside the 12 BNP leaders at the graves of martyred president and BNP founder Ziaur Rahman and former prime minister Khaleda Zia in the capital’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.
Amid speculations and media discussions, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi today (25 July) said the party has no official knowledge yet about who will become the next president of Bangladesh.
Speaking to reporters in Dhaka, Rizvi said he did not expect Mohammed Shahabuddin to step down from the presidential role.
"I did not think the president would resign either. But the way the issue was reported in the media, that is what eventually happened," he said.
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Rizvi, who is also the prime minister's political adviser, said Shahabuddin's resignation letter stated that his health had deteriorated and that he was seriously ill.
"This is all we know, and we will leave it at that," he said.
When asked who the next president would be, Rizvi said that the party's top policymaking body would make the decision and that he had no information regarding the matter.
With the ruling BNP holding a majority in parliament, the party is expected to determine the next occupant of Bangabhaban, the presidential residence. While several senior leaders have emerged in media speculation, the party has yet to reveal its choice, leaving open the possibility of a surprise nominee.
Among the names being floated are LGRD Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, who is also the BNP secretary general, and Standing Committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain and Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan.
None of them has been officially endorsed by the party, with the BNP remaining tight-lipped about its eventual nominee.
Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman today (25 July) said parliament will elect the next president during its regular session in September.
Regarding the appointment of 12 BNP leaders to key positions in government, semi-government, and autonomous institutions, Rizvi said those entrusted with the responsibilities had long been associated with the party and were selected based on their qualifications.
He expressed hope that they would perform their duties with honesty, dedication and professionalism without succumbing to any temptation.
He also said Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman had recognised the leaders' contributions to the party's political movements and entrusted them with important responsibilities to make the institutions more effective and dynamic.
Rizvi made the comments while talking to journalists after paying tribute alongside the 12 BNP leaders at the graves of martyred president and BNP founder Ziaur Rahman and former prime minister Khaleda Zia in the capital's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.
