Names swirl for Bangabhaban

The question of who will become Bangladesh’s next president has emerged as one of the most closely watched issues in the country’s political circles.

With speculation mounting over a successor to President Mohammed Shahabuddin following his resignation, Prime Minister and BNP chairman Tarique Rahman is meeting today with the party’s senior leaders, the members of the Standing Committee, the party’s highest policymaking body.

Several senior party leaders have indicated that the presidential election is likely to be the main item on the meeting’s agenda — and that a decision on the matter could come as early as today.

Speaking to this correspondent yesterday, a senior party leader said the decision on the presidential candidate ultimately rests with party chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

At today’s meeting, the Standing Committee is expected to formally authorise Tarique Rahman to decide, after which he alone will determine who will become Bangladesh’s next president.

Sayrul Kabir Khan, a member of the BNP’s media cell, told this correspondent yesterday that the party’s Standing Committee meeting will be held on Saturday, and that Standing Committee members have already been informed.

Asked about the meeting’s agenda, he said, “I have not received any instructions yet. Once I do, I will be able to confirm.”

According to a BNP party source, profiles of possible presidential candidates have already reached the prime minister.

Their educational qualifications, organisational experience and career backgrounds are reportedly under review, with the most qualified candidates expected to be given preference.

The party source said a final decision is likely to come at Saturday’s meeting itself.

Mohammed Shahabuddin, who took office as president during the Awami League era, stepped down last Friday, citing a lack of “physical and mental fitness” for the role. In his absence, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed has been serving as acting president.

Multiple Standing Committee members said the party could reach a decision on the presidential issue at Saturday’s meeting. One member said, “The presidential issue will be discussed at Saturday’s meeting.”

The same member added that the decision would not rest with any one individual, saying it would take into account the interests of the country, the government, the party and the public, with the most suitable choice ultimately prevailing.

Under the constitution, before the Election Commission announces the schedule for a presidential election, it must complete the necessary procedures in coordination with the Speaker of the National Assembly.

Barrister Kaiser Kamal is currently serving as acting Speaker. On Tuesday, Chief Election Commissioner A.M.M. Nasir Uddin and other commissioners met with him.

Conversations with at least three BNP Standing Committee members surfaced several names being discussed as potential presidential candidates. Among them are Speaker (and current acting president) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed; Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir; Standing Committee members Dr. Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Nazrul Islam Khan and Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan; and Gayeshwar Chandra Roy.

Also under discussion is the name of retired Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed. According to a party source, the name of Muhammad Yunus, former chief adviser of the interim government, has also come up in discussions.

Other names being floated include human rights activist and Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Irene Khan; Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani; Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister ABM Abdus Sattar; and several university professors.

Analysts weigh in Political analyst Mohiuddin Khan Mohon said the president should be someone free of any unacceptable track record or corruption allegations, someone accountable to the state, and someone with a firm backbone.

He added that the current cabinet often appears to lack a steadying, senior presence, suggesting the country and government could both benefit from a retired senior judge — someone experienced and dignified — occupying the country’s highest constitutional office.

If the party opts to nominate one of its own instead, he said, it should be a senior leader with no corruption allegations against them and a clean public image.

He specifically cautioned against choosing anyone in the mould of the presidents BNP had appointed while in power roughly two decades ago, naming Badruddoza Chowdhury and Iajuddin Ahmed as examples of choices the party should not repeat.