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Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir

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Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir
মির্জা ফখরুল ইসলাম আলমগীর
Alamgir in 2023
9th Secretary General of Bangladesh Nationalist Party
Incumbent
Assumed office
20 March 2011
Chairperson
Preceded byKhandaker Delwar Hossain
Vice President of Asia Pacific Democrat Union
Incumbent
Assumed office
16 March 2019
ChairmanRanil Wickremesinghe
Secretary General of the Jatiya Oikya Front
In office
13 October 2018 – 12 December 2022
LeaderKamal Hossain
Preceded byPost Established
Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Tourism
In office
18 November 2005 – 27 October 2006
Prime MinisterKhaleda Zia
Preceded byMir Mohammad Nasiruddin
Succeeded byM. A. Matin
Minister of State for Agriculture
In office
10 October 2001 – 17 November 2005
Prime MinisterKhaleda Zia
Preceded byA. Z. A. Nasiruddin
Succeeded byIqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku
Member of Parliament
In office
10 October 2001 – 27 October 2006
Preceded byKhademul Islam
Succeeded byRamesh Chandra Sen
ConstituencyThakurgaon-1
In office
February 1996 – June 1996
Preceded byKhademul Islam
Succeeded byKhademul Islam
ConstituencyThakurgaon-1
Personal details
Born (1948-01-26) 26 January 1948 (age 76)
East Dinajpur District, East Bengal, Dominion of Pakistan (present-day Thakurgaon District, Bangladesh)
Political partyBangladesh Nationalist Party
SpouseRahat Ara Begum
Parent(s)Mirza Azimuddin Sarkar
(Grandfather)
Mirza Ruhul Amin (Father)
Fatema Amin (Mother)
Alma materUniversity of Dhaka
Signature

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir (born 26 January 1948) is a Bangladeshi politician.[1] He has been the secretary general of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) since 2016.[2] He was a member of the parliament for Thakurgaon-1 constituency from 2001 to 2006. In that term, he was also appointed as the Minister of State in charge of the Ministry of Agriculture and later Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism.[3]

Early life

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Alamgir was born on 26 January 1948 in Thakurgaon District to Mirza Ruhul Amin, a former member of parliament and Mirza Fatima Amin, a homemaker.[4][5]

Political career

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Student politics

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Alamgir was active in student politics at Dhaka University. He was a member of the then East Pakistan Students Union (EPSU), now known as Bangladesh Students Union, and was elected as the secretary general of the organization's SM Hall unit in the university. Alamgir rose through the ranks of EPSU and, at the height of the 1969 uprising against the Ayub Khan administration, he was elected as the organization's Dhaka University president.[6]

Teaching and other government positions

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In 1972, Alamgir became a teacher of economics at Dhaka College.[6]

Among other government responsibilities, Alamgir served in the administration of President Ziaur Rahman. He worked as a secretary of Deputy Prime Minister S.A. Bari, and State Minister Amirul Islam Kamal until the latter resigned in 1982. Following this, Alamgir taught economics at Thakurgaon Govt. College and also worked for the Bangladesh government's Directorate of Inspection and Audit as an auditor and UNESCO until 1986.[6]

Entry into politics

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In 1986, with the municipal polls ahead, Alamgir resigned from his government post. He ran for chairman in Thakurgaon municipality in the 1988 municipal elections as a neutral candidate, and won.[6]

Alamgir joined Bangladesh Nationalist Party amid the countrywide uprising to topple the military regime of Gen. Hussain Muhammad Ershad in the early 1990s. In 1992, Alamgir was nominated as president of the BNP's Thakurgaon District unit.[6]

Member of parliament and state minister

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Alamgir ran in the 5th parliamentary election in 1991 from Thakurgaon-1 constituency on the Bangladesh Nationalist Party ticket but lost to Awami League candidate Khademul Islam.[7] He lost to another Awami League candidate again in the 7th parliamentary election in 1996, but this time with a very narrow margin: 51%–47%.[8]

In the 8th parliamentary election in 2001, as a Bangladesh Nationalist Party candidate, Alamgir beat Awami League candidate Ramesh Chandra Sen by 37,962 votes, garnering 134,910 votes.[6][9]

The government newly formed by Alamgir's BNP party appointed him Minister of State in charge of the Ministry of Agriculture. A cabinet reshuffle later named him Minister of State in charge of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, where he served until the BNP government left office in October 2006.[6]

Alamgir ran again in the 9th parliamentary election in 2008, losing marginally to the Awami League candidate, he previously beat, Ramesh Chandra Sen.[10]

5th BNP Council

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Main article: The 5th National Council of Bangladesh Nationalist Party

The 5th National Council of BNP in December 2008 named Alamgir senior joint secretary general, a post previously held by Tarique Rahman (now the vice-chairman of the BNP).[11]

Alamgir became well known in Bangladesh for his frequent appearance in the media as the BNP's spokesperson, particularly as leader of the opposition to the Awami League-led government that took office in January 2009.

BNP’s acting secretary general

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Fakhrul in 2010

Alamgir was named acting secretary general of the BNP by its chairperson, Begum Khaleda Zia, following the death of secretary general Khandaker Delwar Hossain in March 2011.[12] Some senior BNP figures disputed the nomination, stating that the BNP constitution does not allow for this. The dispute was ruled out[by whom?] on 21 March 2011, hours before Zia left for Saudi Arabia at invitation of the Saudi royal family.[12][13][14][15]

Alamgir continued criticizing the government vibrantly on different issues. Upon organizing mass antigovernmental showdowns, he warned the government to not obstruct the opposition events.[16][17][18] The party organized a number of countrywide populous showdowns and agitations against the government, most notably on the issue of the caretaker government, which the Awami League government demolished, enforcing its decisive two-thirds majority in the parliament in 2011.[19]

Alamgir's motorcade came under a violent attack by an armed mob in Lakshmipur on 2 August 2011 as it was approaching the main town where Alamgir was about to attend a party meeting. The attackers were not identified, but Alamgir and his companions alleged that they were members of the ruling party, the Awami League. Though Alamgir was unhurt, three vehicles (including the one in which he was riding) were vandalized, and ten people were injured.[20]

In February 2012, Alamgir criticized the government for its role in the Pilkhana massacre.[21] He claimed the violence was intended to permanently damage the national security of Bangladesh and accused the Awami League government of not properly investigating the incident.[22]

As of March 2012, Alamgir is one of the top contenders to fill the post of BNP's secretary general.[23]

Cases and convictions

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2023 alleged attack on the residence of the Bangladesh's Chief Justice

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In 2023, Bangladesh Nationalist Party organized a mass gathering in front of their central office in Nayapaltan, Dhaka on 28 October.[24] In the following day, the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) initially raided Alamgir's residence on charges of inciting of attacking on the police and attacked at the residence of the Chief Justice during the massive gathering. Exactly 10 minutes after the raid, the DB officials came back and took Alamgir into custody.[25] Which is confirmed by Press Wing Member of BNP Chairperson Shairul Kabir Khan and Additional Deputy Commissioner of DB, Gulshan Division, Hafiz Al Asad to Prothom Alo.[26] After the capture, he was taken to the head office of the Detective Branch. Deputy Commissioner of Media and Public Relations Department of DMP Farooque Hossain told Prothom Alo that he will be shown as arrested.[27] About nine and a half hours after the capture, the police reported that Alamgir was arrested. DMP Commissioner Habibur Rahman told Prothom Alo that he was arrested in the case of murder and car burning in Paltan police station.[28]

Reaction

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The Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) has demanded the release of all arrested leaders and activists including Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.[29]

Personal life

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Alamgir's father was Mirza Ruhul Amin.[30] Alamgir is married to Rahat Ara Begum, who attended University of Calcutta and presently works in an insurance company in Dhaka. The couple has two daughters, Dr. Shamaruh Mirza and Mirza Safaruh. Shamaruh attended University of Dhaka and was a teacher in the institution. She is now a medical scientist and the co-founder of SiTara's Story.[31] Safaruh, also a University of Dhaka graduate, teaches in a school in Dhaka.[32]

Alamgir's uncle, Mirza Ghulam Hafiz, was a BNP politician who served as the Minister of Land (1978–79), Minister of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs (1991–96), and was elected MP from a Dhaka constituency in 1979. Hafiz was the speaker of the 2nd national parliament of Bangladesh (1979–82).[33]

Another uncle, Wing Commander S. R. Mirza, served in the first government of Bangladesh, that was formed in exile (the Mujibnagar Government) in April 1971. He was named to head the newly formed Directorate of Youth Camps that oversaw training facilities for freedom fighter recruits in 1971.[34]

References

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  1. ^ "Bangladesh opposition chief Alamgir arrested after clashes". BBC News. 29 October 2023.
  2. ^ "BNP's Mirza Fakhrul in prison just after being made BNP secretary general". bdnews24.com. 30 March 2016.
  3. ^ "New state minister for civil aviation takes troubled Biman as a challenge". bdnews24.com. 18 November 2005. Archived from the original on 29 October 2023.
  4. ^ একাত্তরে পা রাখলেন মির্জা ফখরুল. Jugantor (in Bengali). Retrieved 25 January 2020.
  5. ^ "Mother of BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul dies". bdnews24.com. 12 April 2018.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g BNP Overcame Plots, Is Now United, Says Mirza Fakhrul, BangladeshFirst.com, 21 March 2011, archived from the original on 23 March 2011, retrieved 31 March 2012
  7. ^ Ahmed, Burhan Uddin. Parliament Elections Report 1937–2008. Country First Foundation, 2010, p. 45.
  8. ^ Ahmed, Burhan Uddin. Parliament Elections Report 1937–2008. Country First Foundation, 2010, p. 73.
  9. ^ Ahmed, Burhan Uddin. Parliament Elections Report 1937–2008. Country First Foundation, 2010, p. 96.
  10. ^ Ahmed, Burhan Uddin. Parliament Elections Report 1937–2008. Country First Foundation, 2010, p. 150.
  11. ^ "Tarique made powerful senior vice-chairman", The Daily Star, 9 December 2009, retrieved 31 March 2012
  12. ^ a b মির্জা ফখরুল বিএনপি'র ভারপ্রাপ্ত মহাসচিব [BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul], Daily Manabzamin (in Bengali), 21 March 2011, archived from the original on 22 March 2011, retrieved 31 March 2012
  13. ^ বিএনপি'র গঠণতন্ত্রে ভারপ্রাপ্ত মহাসচিবের অস্তিত্ব নেই: হান্নান শাহ, Banglanews24.com (in Bengali), 22 March 2011, archived from the original on 30 July 2012, retrieved 31 March 2012
  14. ^ মহাসচিব পদ নিয়ে বিএনপিতে দ্বন্দ্ব-কোন্দল বেড়েছে, Daily Samakal (in Bengali), 24 March 2011, archived from the original on 4 March 2016, retrieved 31 March 2012
  15. ^ "Mirza acting, debate spreading within BNP". The Daily Star. 31 March 2011.
  16. ^ "Fakhrul alleges reign of terror", bdnews24.com, 27 December 2011, archived from the original on 1 January 2011, retrieved 31 March 2012
  17. ^ "Govt trying to foil Ctg road march: Fakhrul", The Daily Star, 2 January 2012, retrieved 31 March 2012
  18. ^ "Govt will be ousted thru' upsurge", The Daily Star, 26 January 2012, retrieved 31 March 2012
  19. ^ "Make March 12 rally a success: Fakhrul", The Daily Star, 29 February 2012, retrieved 31 March 2012
  20. ^ "Fakhrul's motorcade attacked in Laxmipur", The Daily Star, 2 August 2011, retrieved 31 March 2012
  21. ^ "2009 mutiny part of govt plot: BNP", bdnews24.com, 25 February 2012, retrieved 31 March 2012
  22. ^ "'It was a plot to weaken nat'l security'", The Daily Star, 26 February 2012, retrieved 31 March 2012
  23. ^ "Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir to be BNP's Secretary General", Probe News Magazine, 23–29 March 2011, retrieved 31 March 2012
  24. ^ "নয়াপল্টনে যে বার্তা দিয়ে মঞ্চ থেকে নেমে যান ফখরুল". Prothomalo (in Bengali). 28 October 2023. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  25. ^ "মির্জা ফখরুলকে আটকের পর তাঁর স্ত্রী যা বললেন". Prothomalo (in Bengali). 29 October 2023. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  26. ^ "গুলশানের বাসা থেকে মির্জা ফখরুল 'আটক'". Prothomalo (in Bengali). 29 October 2023. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  27. ^ "মির্জা ফখরুলকে গ্রেপ্তার দেখানো হবে: ডিএমপির মুখপাত্র". Prothomalo (in Bengali). 29 October 2023. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  28. ^ প্রতিবেদক, নিজস্ব (29 October 2023). "আটকের সাড়ে ৯ ঘণ্টা পর মির্জা ফখরুলকে গ্রেপ্তার দেখানোর কথা জানাল পুলিশ". Prothom Alo (in Bengali). Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  29. ^ "মির্জা ফখরুলের মুক্তির দাবি সিপিবির". Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 29 October 2023. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  30. ^ "Mother of BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul dies". bdnews24.com. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
  31. ^ "Dr Shamaruh Mirza". Australian of the Year. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  32. ^ Halim, Anwar Parvez. "Sons and daughters of political parents". Probe News Magazine. Archived from the original on 30 January 2011. Retrieved 1 April 2012.
  33. ^ মির্জা গোলাম হাফিজ. Panchagarh District (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 23 October 2016. Retrieved 1 April 2012.
  34. ^ Faiquzzaman, Mohammad (2012). "Mujibnagar Government". In Islam, Sirajul; Jamal, Ahmed A. (eds.). Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
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