Bangladesh, Aug. 13 -- The ruling BNP has nominated Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir for the presidency, putting the veteran politician on course to become Bangladesh's 23rd president.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman announced the decision following a high-level meeting of the party at the Secretariat on Thursday.

"[Tarique] met with senior leaders. At the meeting, Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul was announced as the party's candidate for the presidential election," said the Prime Minister's Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman.

Previously, Tarique was given the responsibility of nominating the party's presidential candidate at a meeting of the BNP's National Standing Committee on Aug 1.

Multiple members of theStanding Committee tol...