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The Daily Ittefaq

Who is Bangladesh's first ever female president, Shirin Sharmin?

Update : 26 Jan 2023, 13:24

Bangladesh is going to get its first-ever female head of state Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury after Presidnt Abdul Hamid's second consecutive term ends on April 23.

Bangladesh's Parliament Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury pobably replace Abdul Hamid as the country’s leader, reports IANS.

Shirin Sharmin is an MP from Rangpur-6 and she is the youngest Speaker of the House since April 2013.

Top Awami League sources told IANS that the ruling party has decided to field Shirin despite some factions pitching for senior party leaders like Matiya Chowdhury and Amir Hossain Amu. Some suggestions about party general secretary and roads-bridges minister Obaidul Quader as a likely candidate for President was negated by most in the Presidium and Central Executive Committee because Quader has recovered from his physical maladies and is seen as a tough old-school Awami League organiser.

"Quader must run the party in an election year when things could get tough," stated a senior leader.

Quader's projected successor Joint General Secretary and Information Minister Hasan Mahmud is seen by many as less of a party organiser and more suitable as a possible forest-environment minister with an additional charge of science and technology.

According to author Sukharanjan Dasgupta, "Hasan holds a PhD in environmental science and may be useful to plan government measures to tackle climate change fallout which is a huge issue in Bangladesh. The party also prioritises digitalisation and increasing scientific applications in all spheres like agriculture, so it is better that a senior scientist is better used for his domain expertise."

Most of Hasina's key ministers, including the home minister Sahara Khatun and the foreign minister Dipu Moni, were women when she took office in January 2009. Dipu Moni has maintained her position as Education Minister and has been a vocal opponent of  Islamist radicalism.

Although earlier EC officials had stated that the presidential election would take place between January 23 and February 23, following President Abdul Hamid's resignation, the Poll Commission (EC) has already set February 18 as the date for the election.

Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury's name has not yet been made public at the Awami League's party forum, but a high-ranking official in the ruling party practically confirmed that.

 

 

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