DHAKA : President candidate of BNP Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today made an emotional appeal to party lawmakers to vote for him in tomorrow's presidential election.

Recalling the BNP's late chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and its founder, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, Fakhrul expressed his gratitude for their contributions to the party. 

He also thanked BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman for placing his trust in him and entrusting him with various responsibilities over the years.

He sought prayers from party lawmakers and urged them to cast their votes in his favour in the presidential election.

The BNP parliamentary party meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, was held at the ruling party meeting room of Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban this afternoon. The meeting began at 2pm and continued for around one and a half hours.

Several lawmakers present at the meeting said Fakhrul became emotional at the beginning of his speech and broke down in tears for several times within a few minutes, creating an emotional atmosphere in the meeting. The Prime Minister was also moved.

Recalling his long political journey with the BNP, Fakhrul said he had served the party as Senior Joint Secretary General, Acting Secretary General and Secretary General.

"If I have made any mistake or unintentionally hurt anyone during my tenure, I seek forgiveness," he said.

Fakhrul said the party had given him immense honour and responsibilities and that he would uphold that honour throughout his life.

He also pledged that he would never compromise on the country's independence and sovereignty.

Referring to his possible move to Bangabhaban if elected president, Fakhrul said he would miss his colleagues and sought their prayers.

He then appealed to the BNP lawmakers to vote for him in tomorrow's presidential election.

Earlier, Chief Whip Md. Nurul Islam Moni welcomed the participants and briefed the lawmakers about the voting procedure for the presidential election. He also sought their votes for Fakhrul.

The Chief Whip informed the meeting that the presidential election would be held tomorrow, Thursday, and that Fakhrul himself would cast his vote. If elected president and subsequently assumes office, his Thakurgaon-1 parliamentary seat will fall vacant.

Addressing the meeting Prime Minister Tarique Rahman also urged the BNP lawmakers to vote for Fakhrul.

The meeting was attended by BNP Standing Committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Abdul Moyeen Khan, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud, Selima Rahman and AZM Zahid Hossain, among other lawmakers.

The presidential election will be held tomorrow, August 20. If elected, Fakhrul will assume the office of president and today's parliamentary party meeting will be his last meeting as a lawmaker.