With the presidency now vacant following the resignation of President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Friday, political attention has turned to who will become Bangladesh's 23rd president.
Shahabuddin submitted his signed resignation letter to Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed on Friday afternoon. Under the Constitution, the resignation took effect immediately upon its submission to the speaker.
Article 123 of the Constitution stipulates that if the office of the president becomes vacant, Parliament must elect a new president within 90 days through a vote of Members of Parliament (MPs). Until then, the speaker will continue to discharge the duties of acting president.
Under the Constitution, the President is elected by MPs. As the ruling alliance holds a parliamentary majority, its nominated candidate is expected to secure the presidency.
According to multiple BNP sources, BNP Secretary General and Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is the frontrunner in discussions to become the country's next president. The sources said that if the party makes a final decision in his favor, he is expected to resign from both his cabinet position and party post before assuming the constitutional office.
Other names under consideration include BNP Standing Committee members Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain and Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan. Party insiders said several other senior leaders are also being discussed informally.
The sources said the final decision is expected to be based on political acceptability, the ability to discharge constitutional responsibilities, seniority within the party, and the current political landscape.
Neither the government nor the BNP leadership has officially commented on the matter. Senior leaders from both sides said the final decision on the next president will be made by Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman. They said an official announcement would come after consultations at the highest levels of the party and government and a review of the relevant political and constitutional considerations.
Several BNP policymakers said the next president would likely have to navigate political challenges surrounding the next parliamentary election. They added that experience in working with the government, opposition parties, and state institutions, as well as broad political acceptability, would be important considerations in selecting the country's next head of state.
A state minister said: "Following the President's resignation, the Speaker will perform the duties of Acting President. Our prime minister will decide who the next President will be. We believe a senior party leader is likely to be nominated."
The BNP secured a majority in the 13th parliamentary election held on February 12 and formed the government on February 17. On the same day, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman announced his cabinet, while the first session of the 13th National Parliament began on March 12.
Mohammed Shahabuddin was elected unopposed as president in 2023 with the nomination of the Awami League. His 5-year term was originally scheduled to expire in April 2028.