Presidential election to be held on time: Mirza Fakhrul

The presidential election will take place as scheduled, with the ruling party selecting its candidate through its own decision-making process, LGRD Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said on Monday.

Speaking to reporters after inaugurating the Bangladesh Rural Development Board (BRDB) divisional office in Rangpur city‍‍`s Terminal area, Fakhrul said the BNP remains committed to democratic practices and would nominate its presidential candidate in line with the party‍‍`s internal process.

Describing the BNP as a democratic political party, he said it had come to power through the people‍‍`s mandate after a prolonged political struggle, securing a two-thirds majority in parliament.

"The BNP has governed the country five times. Those who describe the party as fascist either do not know its history or have adopted such a mindset," he said.

Responding to criticism, the minister also urged the Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami to examine the BNP‍‍`s constitution before questioning the party‍‍`s democratic credentials.

On local government elections, Fakhrul said the Election Commission would determine whether educational qualifications would be required for candidates. He added that the polls are expected to be held either by the end of this year or in the early part of next year.

The minister also highlighted the government‍‍`s agricultural initiatives, saying interest on agricultural loans of up to Tk 10,000 has been waived to support farmers.

He said the prime minister had announced the highest allocation for agricultural development in the Rangpur region and assured that further measures would be taken to make farming more profitable.

Following the inauguration ceremony, Fakhrul opened a rural fair at the Rangpur Public Library grounds, visited exhibition stalls and later attended a community meeting at the Shilpakala Academy.

Among those present were Rangpur Development Authority Chairman Shamsuzzaman Samu, Divisional Commissioner Shahidul Islam (NDC), Rangpur Range DIG Aminul Islam, Deputy Commissioner Ruhul Amin, Zilla Parishad Administrator Saiful Islam, along with government officials and BNP leaders and activists.