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{{short description|Bangladeshi politician}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2013}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir
| native_name = মির্জা ফখরুল ইসলাম আলমগীর
| native_name_lang = bn
| image = Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.jpg
| caption = Alamgir in 2020
| office = [[General Secretary of Bangladesh Nationalist Party]]
| term_start = 20 March 2011
| leader = [[Khaleda Zia]]
| predecessor = [[Khandaker Delwar Hossain]]
|office1 = [[Asia Pacific Democrat Union|Vice President of Asia Pacific Democrat Union]]
| term_start1 = 16 March 2019
| leader1 =[[Ranil Wickremesinghe]]
| office2 = [[Jatiya Oikya Front|Secretary General of the Jatiya Oikya Front]]
| term_start2 = 2018
| leader2 = [[Kamal Hossain]]
| predecessor2 = ''Post Established''
| office3 = [[Ministry of Agriculture (Bangladesh)|State Minister of Agriculture]]
| president3 = [[A. Q. M. Badruddoza Chowdhury|Badruddoza Chowdhury]]<br/>[[Iajuddin Ahmed]]
| primeminister3 = [[Khaleda Zia]]
| term_start3 = 10 October 2001
| term_end3 = 17 November 2005
| office4 = [[Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism (Bangladesh)|State Minister of Civil Aviation and Tourism]]
| president4 = [[Iajuddin Ahmed]]
| primeminister4 = [[Khaleda Zia]]
| term_start4 = 18 November 2005
| term_end4 = October 2006
| office5 = [[Member of Parliament#Bangladesh|Member of Parliament]]
| constituency5 = [[Thakurgaon-1]]
| term_start5 = October 2001
| term_end5 = October 2006
| predecessor5 = [[Khademul Islam]]
| successor5 = [[Ramesh Chandra Sen]]
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1948|01|26}}
| birth_place = [[Thakurgaon District]], [[East Pakistan]], Pakistan
| nationality = Bangladeshi
| party = [[Bangladesh Nationalist Party]]
| alma_mater = [[University of Dhaka]]
| occupation = Secretary General of Bangladesh Nationalist Party
}}

'''Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir''' (born 26 January 1948) is a Bangladeshi politician. He has been the [[secretary general]] of the [[Bangladesh Nationalist Party]] (BNP) since 2016.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://bangla.bdnews24.com/politics/article1659253.bdnews|script-title=bn:প্রবাসী মেয়ের এসএমএসে উজ্জীবিত হন ফখরুল|work=bdnews24.com|language=bn|access-date=2019-09-16}}</ref> He was a member of the parliament for [[Thakurgaon-1]] constituency from 2001 to 2006. In that term, he was also appointed as the [[Minister of State]] in charge of the Ministry of Agriculture and later Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2005/11/18/new-state-minister-for-civil-aviation-takes-troubled-biman-as-a-challenge|title=New state minister for civil aviation takes troubled Biman as a challenge|work=bdnews24.com|access-date=2019-09-16}}</ref>

==Early life==
Alamgir was born on 26 January 1948 in [[Thakurgaon District]] to [[Mirza Ruhul Amin]] (d. 2008), a former member of parliament and Mirza Fatima Amin (d. 2018), a homemaker.<ref>{{cite news |script-title=bn:একাত্তরে পা রাখলেন মির্জা ফখরুল |url=https://www.jugantor.com/politics/137930/%E0%A6%8F%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%96%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%AB%E0%A6%96%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%B2 |work=Jugantor |language=bn |access-date=25 January 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://bdnews24.com/people/2018/04/12/mother-of-bnp-secretary-general-mirza-fakhrul-dies|title=Mother of BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul dies|work=bdnews24.com|language=en|access-date=2019-01-09}}</ref>

==Political career==

===Student politics===

Alamgir was active in student politics at [[Dhaka University]]. He was a member of the then East Pakistan Students Union (EPSU), now known as [[Bangladesh Students Union]], and was elected as the secretary general of the organization's SM Hall unit in the university. Alamgir rose through the ranks of EPSU and, at the height of the [[1969 uprising in East Pakistan|1969 uprising]] against the [[Ayub Khan (Field Marshal)|Ayub Khan]] administration, he was elected as the organization's Dhaka University president.<ref name="BangladeshFirst%25252Ecom">{{citation |url= http://www.bangladeshfirst.com/newsdetails.php?cid=30&scid=39&nid=1035 |title= BNP Overcame Plots, Is Now United, Says Mirza Fakhrul |publisher=BangladeshFirst.com |date=21 March 2011 |access-date=2012-03-31}}</ref>

===Teaching and other government positions===
In 1972, Alamgir became a teacher of economics at [[Dhaka College]].<ref name="BangladeshFirst%25252Ecom" />

Among other government responsibilities, Alamgir worked for the [[Government of Bangladesh|Bangladesh government's]] Directorate of Inspection and Audit as an [[auditor]].

Alamgir served in the administration of [[President of Bangladesh|President]] [[Ziaur Rahman]]. He worked as a secretary of Deputy Prime Minister S.A. Bari, and State Minister Amirul Islam Kalam until the latter resigned in 1982. Following this, Alamgir taught economics at [[Thakurgaon Govt. College]] until 1986.<ref name="BangladeshFirst%25252Ecom" />

===Entry into politics===
In 1986, with the municipal polls ahead, Alamgir resigned from his government post. He ran for chairman in Thakurgaon municipality in the 1988 municipal elections as a neutral candidate, and won.<ref name="BangladeshFirst%25252Ecom" />

Alamgir joined BNP amid the countrywide uprising to topple the military regime of [[Hussain Muhammad Ershad|Gen Hussain Muhammad Ershad]] in the early 1990s. In 1992, Alamgir was nominated as president of the BNP's Thakurgaon district unit.<ref name="BangladeshFirst%25252Ecom" />

===Member of parliament and state minister===
Alamgir ran in the [[1991 Bangladeshi general election|5th parliamentary election]] in 1991 from Thakurgaon-1 constituency on the BNP ticket but lost to [[Awami League]] candidate [[Khademul Islam]].<ref>Ahmed, Burhan Uddin. ''Parliament Elections Report 1937-2008''. Country First Foundation, 2010, p. 45.</ref> He lost to another Awami League candidate again in the [[June 1996 Bangladeshi general election|7th parliamentary election]] in 1996, but this time with a very narrow margin: 51%–47%.<ref>Ahmed, Burhan Uddin. ''Parliament Elections Report 1937-2008''. Country First Foundation, 2010, p. 73.</ref>

In the [[2001 Bangladeshi general election|8th parliamentary election]] in 2001, as a BNP candidate, Alamgir beat Awami League candidate [[Ramesh Chandra Sen]] by 37,962 votes, garnering 134,910 votes.<ref name="BangladeshFirst%25252Ecom" /><ref>Ahmed, Burhan Uddin. ''Parliament Elections Report 1937-2008''. Country First Foundation, 2010, p. 96.</ref>

The government newly formed by Alamgir's BNP party appointed him [[Minister of State]] in charge of the Ministry of Agriculture. A cabinet reshuffle later named him Minister of State in charge of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, where he served until the BNP government left office in October 2006.<ref name="BangladeshFirst%25252Ecom" />

Alamgir ran again in the [[2008 Bangladeshi general election|9th parliamentary election]] in 2008, losing marginally to the Awami League candidate he previously beat, Ramesh Chandra Sen.<ref>Ahmed, Burhan Uddin. ''Parliament Elections Report 1937-2008''. Country First Foundation, 2010, p. 150.</ref>

===5th BNP Council===
The [[The 5th National Council of Bangladesh Nationalist Party|5th National Council of BNP]] in December 2008 named Alamgir senior joint secretary general, a post previously held by [[Tarique Rahman]] (now the vice-chairman of the BNP).<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=116937 |title=Tarique made powerful senior vice-chairman |newspaper=[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)|The Daily Star]] |date=9 December 2009 |access-date=2012-03-31}}</ref>

Alamgir became well known in Bangladesh for his frequent appearance in the media as the BNP's spokesperson, particularly as leader of the opposition to the Awami League-led government that took office in January 2009.

===BNP’s acting secretary general===
Alamgir was named acting secretary general of the BNP by its chairperson, [[Begum Khaleda Zia]], following the death of secretary general [[Khandaker Delwar Hossain]] in March 2011.<ref name="Manabzamin">{{citation|url=http://www.mzamin.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5492:2011-03-20-16-47-54&catid=48:2010-08-31-09-43-22&Itemid=82 |script-title=bn:মির্জা ফখরুল বিএনপি’র ভারপ্রাপ্ত মহাসচিব |trans-title=BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul |language=bn |newspaper=[[Manabzamin|Daily Manabzamin]] |date=21 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110322084505/http://www.mzamin.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5492%3A2011-03-20-16-47-54&catid=48%3A2010-08-31-09-43-22&Itemid=82 |archive-date=22 March 2011 |access-date=2012-03-31 }}</ref> Some senior BNP figures disputed the nomination, stating that the BNP constitution does not allow for this. The dispute was ruled out{{By whom|date=October 2012}} on 21 March 2011, hours before Zia left for [[Saudi Arabia]] at invitation of the [[House of Saud|Saudi royal family]].<ref name="Manabzamin" /><ref>{{citation|url=http://www.BanglaNews24.com/news.php?nssl=33472 |script-title=bn:বিএনপি’র গঠণতন্ত্রে ভারপ্রাপ্ত মহাসচিবের অস্তিত্ব নেই: হান্নান শাহ |language=bn |newspaper=BanglaNews24 |date=22 March 2011 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120730211119/http://www.banglanews24.com/news.php?nssl=33472 |archive-date=30 July 2012 |access-date=2012-03-31 }}</ref><ref>{{citation|url=http://www.samakal.com.bd/details.php?news=14&action=main&view=archiev&y=2011&m=03&d=24&option=single&news_id=142960&pub_no=642 |script-title=bn:মহাসচিব পদ নিয়ে বিএনপিতে দ্বন্দ্ব-কোন্দল বেড়েছে |language=bn |newspaper=Daily Samakal |date=24 March 2011 |access-date=2012-03-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304055507/http://www.samakal.com.bd/details.php?news=14&action=main&view=archiev&y=2011&m=03&d=24&option=single&news_id=142960&pub_no=642 |archive-date=4 March 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Mirza acting, debate spreading within BNP |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-179857 |newspaper=The Daily Star |date=31 March 2011}}</ref>

Alamgir continued criticizing the government vibrantly on different issues. Upon organizing mass anti-government showdowns, he warned the government to not obstruct the opposition events.<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.bdnews24.com/details.php?id=182769&cid=3 |title=Fakhrul alleges reign of terror |newspaper=bdnews24.com |date=27 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110101151021/http://bdnews24.com/details.php?id=182769&cid=3 |archive-date=2011-01-01 |access-date=2012-03-31}}</ref><ref>{{citation |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/latest_news.php?nid=34833 |title=Govt trying to foil Ctg road march: Fakhrul |newspaper=[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)|The Daily Star]]|date=2 January 2012 |access-date=2012-03-31}}</ref><ref>{{citation |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=219930 |title=Govt will be ousted thru' upsurge |newspaper=[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)|The Daily Star]] |date=26 January 2012 |access-date=2012-03-31}}</ref> The party organized a number of countrywide populous showdowns and agitations against the government, most notably on the issue of the [[caretaker government]], which the Awami League government demolished, enforcing its decisive two-thirds majority in the [[parliament]] in 2011.<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/latest_news.php?nid=36145 |title=Make March 12 rally a success: Fakhrul |newspaper=[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)|The Daily Star]] |date=29 February 2012 |access-date=2012-03-31}}</ref>

Alamgir's motorcade came under a violent attack by an armed mob in [[Lakshmipur District|Lakshmipur]] on 2 August 2011 as it was approaching the main town where Alamgir was about to attend a party meeting. The attackers were not identified, but Alamgir and his companions alleged that they were members of the ruling party, the Awami League. Though Alamgir was unhurt, three vehicles (including the one in which he was riding) were vandalized, and ten people were injured.<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=196844 |title=Fakhrul's motorcade attacked in Laxmipur |newspaper=[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)|The Daily Star]] |date=2 August 2011 |access-date=2012-03-31}}</ref>

In February 2012, Alamgir criticized the government for its role in the [[2009 Bangladesh Rifles revolt|Pilkhana massacre]].<ref>{{citation |url=http://bdnews24.com/politics/2012/02/25/2009-mutiny-part-of-govt-plot-bnp |title=2009 mutiny part of govt plot: BNP |newspaper=bdnews24.com |date=25 February 2012 |access-date=2012-03-31}}</ref> He claimed the violence was intended to permanently damage the national security of Bangladesh and accused the [[Awami League]] government of not properly investigating the incident.<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=223899 |title='It was a plot to weaken nat'l security' |newspaper=[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)|The Daily Star]]|date=26 February 2012 |access-date=2012-03-31}}</ref>

As of March 2012, Alamgir is one of the top contenders to fill the post of BNP's secretary general.<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.probenewsmagazine.com/index.php?index=2&contentId=4890 |title=Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir to be BNP's Secretary General |newspaper=Probe News Magazine |date=23–29 March 2011 |access-date=2012-03-31}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Alamgir is married to Rahat Ara Begum, who attended [[University of Calcutta]] and presently works in an [[insurance company]] in Dhaka. The couple has two daughters, Mirza Shamaruh and Mirza Safaruh. Shamaruh attended [[University of Dhaka]] and was a teacher in the institution. She is now a post doctoral fellow in Australia. Safaruh, also a University of Dhaka graduate, teaches in a school in Dhaka.<ref name="Probe News">{{cite magazine |last=Halim |first=Anwar Parvez |title=Sons and daughters of political parents |url=http://www.probenewsmagazine.com/index.php?index=2&contentId=6469 |magazine=Probe News Magazine |access-date=2012-04-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110130064614/http://www.probenewsmagazine.com/index.php?index=2&contentId=6469 |archive-date=2011-01-30}}</ref>

Alamgir's uncle, [[Mirza Ghulam Hafiz]], was a BNP politician who served as the Minister of Land (1978–79), Minister of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs (1991–96), and was elected MP from a [[Dhaka]] constituency in 1979. Hafiz was the [[List of Speakers of the Jatiyo Sangshad|speaker]] of the [[Jatiyo Sangshad|2nd national parliament of Bangladesh]] (1979–82).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.panchagarh.gov.bd/node/37974/%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%96%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A4-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AC |script-title=bn:মির্জা গোলাম হাফিজ |website=[[Panchagarh District]] |language=bn |access-date=2012-04-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161023051018/http://www.panchagarh.gov.bd/node/37974/%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%96%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A4-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AC |archive-date=23 October 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Another uncle, [[Wing commander (rank)|Wing Commander]] S. R. Mirza, served in the [[Provisional Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh|first government of Bangladesh]] that was formed in exile (the Mujibnagar Government) in April 1971. He was named to head the newly formed Directorate of Youth Camps that oversaw training facilities for [[Mukti Bahini|freedom fighter recruits]] in 1971.<ref>{{cite book |last=Faiquzzaman |first=Mohammad |year=2012 |chapter=Mujibnagar Government |chapter-url=http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Mujibnagar_Government |editor1-last=Islam |editor1-first=Sirajul |editor1-link=Sirajul Islam |editor2-last=Jamal |editor2-first=Ahmed A. |title=Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh |edition=Second |publisher=Asiatic Society of Bangladesh}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Commons category}}
{{authority control}}{{BNPGS}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Alamgir, Mirza Fakhrul Islam}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1948 births]]
[[Category:People from Thakurgaon District]]
[[Category:University of Dhaka alumni]]
[[Category:Bangladeshi academics]]
[[Category:Bangladesh Nationalist Party politicians]]
[[Category:General Secretaries of Bangladesh Nationalist Party]]
[[Category:8th Jatiya Sangsad members]]
[[Category:State Ministers of Agriculture (Bangladesh)]]
[[Category:State Ministers of Tourism and Civil Aviation (Bangladesh)]]
[[Category:11th Jatiya Sangsad members]]

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir - Revision history

>David notMD: Undid revision 1065222421 by Troyol (talk) A fact can be true and referenced but not important enough to be in the article