Finance Minister and BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Thursday said newly elected President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is the best choice for the country’s highest constitutional office, describing him as a seasoned political leader.

Reacting to Fakhrul’s election as Bangladesh’s 23rd President, Khosru said the BNP leader has spent his political life fighting for democracy and enduring repression and imprisonment.

“Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is, through and through, a political personality. There could hardly have been a better choice,” he told journalists in front of Parliament after the election result was announced.

“He has gone through a long struggle, endured imprisonment and repression, and fought against authoritarianism, sacrificing and suffering throughout his life,” the minister said.

He said Fakhrul’s contribution to the democratic movement had been at the forefront and described him as an honest and competent person. “I am happy that such a person is going to occupy the President’s Office,” he said.

Khosru said the presidential election itself reflected the return of democratic practices in Bangladesh.

“We have been talking about democracy for so long, and today we are seeing its reflections. I think people had almost forgotten when Bangladesh last had a real presidential election,” he said.

“Today, a President has been elected by an elected Parliament. This is also a major achievement for us,” the minister added.

He said the democratic process and culture must be sustained to fulfil the vision of building the Bangladesh envisioned by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

The BNP leader said they have fought, suffered and made sacrifices to restore the democratic process, while the people have also sacrificed their lives and endured repression for the cause.

“We must continue this democratic journey and sustain the culture of democracy. If this continues, Insha-Allah, we will all be able to build the Bangladesh that our Prime Minister has envisioned,” he said.

Asked about his expectations of the new President, Khosru said Fakhrul has long been a torchbearer of democracy and expressed hope that he will continue to play the same role from his new constitutional position.

“He is coming here today as a torchbearer of democracy. The role he played in the past in ensuring that democracy continues and will remain the same,” he said.

Mirza Fakhrul was elected Bangladesh’s 23rd President after securing 255 votes in the presidential election held in Parliament on Thursday.