Oli Ahmad congratulates Fakhrul after losing Bangladesh presidential contest

Retired Col. Oli Ahmad, president of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), congratulated Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir after losing Bangladesh’s presidential election Thursday, offering a public concession unusual in national politics.

Fakhrul, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) candidate, won the parliamentary vote 255-88, becoming Bangladesh’s 23rd president in the first contested presidential election in 35 years.

“I offer him my heartfelt congratulations on my own behalf, on behalf of the LDP (Liberal Democratic Party), and on behalf of the 11-Party Nationalist Alliance,” Ahmad said.

Ahmad said the two had worked together for years and urged Fakhrul to act above partisan interests.

“I hope you will rise above all else and work for the welfare of the country,” he said.

Ahmad also called for a greater balance of power to ensure good governance and accountability.