Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Secretary General of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and MP for Thakurgaon-1 (Sadar), has been appointed as the Minister for Local Government, Rural Development, and Cooperatives in the newly formed cabinet.

Today (Tuesday) afternoon, following the oath-taking ceremony, party leaders, workers, and supporters celebrated across the district, particularly at the BNP district office. Earlier, the oath ceremony for the new ministers was conducted by President Mohammad Shahabuddin at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban in Dhaka, which was broadcast live for party members in Thakurgaon. Sweets were distributed among attendees to mark the occasion.

Anarul Islam, caretaker of the district BNP office, said he brought two kilograms of sweets to share with those present. Locals expressed joy over Mirza Fakhrul’s ministerial appointment. Abul Hashem, a shop owner in Thakurgaon town, said the district is delighted, hoping the new ministry will bring improvements in healthcare, education, and employment opportunities.

Senior educator Professor Mantosh Kumar De noted that having Mirza Fakhrul in charge of the Local Government Ministry offers a significant opportunity to advance regional development. District BNP General Secretary Paygam Ali said the appointment reflects recognition of Fakhrul’s important role in national politics and created a festive atmosphere locally.

In the 13th parliamentary elections, Mirza Fakhrul won Thakurgaon-1 with 238,836 votes, defeating his nearest rival, Delowar Hossain, supported by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami from Dhaka University. After nearly 17 years in teaching, he was elected chairman of Thakurgaon municipality in 1988. First elected as an MP in 2001, he served as State Minister for Agriculture and later for Civil Aviation and Tourism. Following the death of the BNP Secretary General in 2011, he became acting Secretary General and was formally elected to the post in 2016.