Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir took oath as the 23rd President of Bangladesh. This 'gentlemanly' politician, who rose from the grassroots to become the leader of the BNP's troubled times, is now seated in the highest office of the state.

He took the oath at the Darbar Hall of Bangabhaban on Friday (August 21) evening; Acting Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad Kaiser Kamal administered the oath.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and several hundred guests, including ministers and state ministers, were present at the ceremony. The ceremony was conducted by Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani.

With this oath, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir became a resident of Bangabhaban as the successor of Md. Shahabuddin.

Md. Shahabuddin, who took the responsibility of the President during the Awami League era, resigned on July 24. Bangabhaban got a new head of state about four weeks later. Mirza Fakhrul, who has been serving as BNP Secretary General and Local Government Minister, was elected President through voting in the National Parliament on Thursday.

Mirza Fakhrul, the BNP candidate in this presidential election held after a long three and a half decades, received 255 votes. His opponent, Oli Ahmed, the candidate of the 11-party unity led by Jamaat-e-Islami, received 88 votes.