Opposition picks Oli for presidency
The Jamaat-e-Islami-led opposition alliance has chosen Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Chairman Colonel (retd) Oli Ahmad as its candidate, bringing the veteran politician into focus as the bloc prepares to contest the presidential election scheduled for 20 August.
NCP Convener Nahid Islam announced the decision on Sunday (9 August) at a press conference held at the official residence of the opposition leader on Minto Road in Dhaka.
The nomination was finalised earlier at a meeting of the alliance’s top leaders chaired by Jamaat Ameer and Opposition Leader Dr Shafiqur Rahman.
Accepting the nomination, Oli said his record as a Liberation War veteran and his personal integrity had helped secure the unanimous support of the alliance leaders.
“Everyone felt that, as a Liberation War veteran and a proven individual, I have no allegations of corruption against me and no questions over my educational qualifications.
Because I have led my life with integrity, everyone unanimously proposed my name,” he said.
Oli expressed gratitude to the nation, the alliance’s leaders and its activists, pledging that the opposition bloc would remain committed to protecting the interests of the people.
“I am grateful to the entire nation, to everyone in the 11-party alliance and to all our leaders and activists,” he said.
“Through you, we want to tell the people that we will never betray the nation from where we stand. We will always stand by the people and work to protect their interests.”
From military service to politics
Oli, a former army officer and Liberation War veteran, founded the LDP in 2006 after leaving the BNP.
He was awarded the Bir Bikrom for his role in Bangladesh’s 1971 Liberation War.
After retiring from the military, he entered politics and became a BNP lawmaker.
During Khaleda Zia’s government, he served as a minister, holding the communications and energy portfolios.
The LDP later joined the Jamaat-led opposition alliance ahead of the 13th general election, bringing Oli and his party into the broader bloc seeking to contest the election jointly.
His nomination places a veteran politician with both military and ministerial experience at the centre of the alliance’s electoral preparations.
The alliance is expected to coordinate its candidates and campaign strategy as its constituent parties move towards the election, with Oli now formally representing the bloc as its nominated candidate.
