bdnews24.com, Dhaka
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President-designate Zillur Rahman expressed his desire to work neutrally for the welfare of his countrymen, on the eve of his oath taking as the country's 19th president.
"I will work for the people neutrally, even though I will be away from active politics," the veteran Awami League leader told bdnews24.com on Wednesday at his Ivy Tower residence in Gulshan.
The building was besieged by people from all walks along with party men congratulating Zillur, who is set to take oath as the country's 19th president at a Darbar Hall ceremony on Thursday evening.
Zillur, responding to their greetings and replying to a query, said: "I will do everything possible within my limited capability for safeguarding democracy and people's welfare. You know well that the president enjoys limited power. I will do my job as best I can within those limits."
Known as a close companion of Awami League founder and independence architect Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Zillur said: "Bangabandhu always worked for people in changing their fate."
"The country became independent under his leadership and we have got the acknowledgement as a nation in the world map."
"The people have given us the scope to form government by giving our party overwhelming support. The new government under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina, daughter of Bangabandhu has been working from the very first day to this end."
Zillur determined to maintain neutrality in the presidential post. "I will work neutrally as a president and make no discrimination between the ruling and opposition parties."
"All of us will have to work together to build a 'Golden Bangladesh' keeping aside all differences of views."
Zillur said that there were many problems facing the nation. "The problems have increased in the past two years."
"We have to alleviate poverty and create employment. Everybody should work together to take the country forward," he said. The veteran politician was born on March 9, 1929 at Bhairab in Kishoreganj, joining politics in his student life.
Zillur was elected lawmaker in the ninth parliamentary elections, and past elections of 1973, 1986, 1996 and 2001, from his Kishoreganj (Kuliarchar-Bhairab) constituency. He was also elected to the provincial council (Pradeshik Parishad) in the 1970 election.
Awami League president Sheikh Hasina made Zillur acting party chief after she was arrested in 2007 during the regime of the caretaker government, amid the state of emergency. He has two daughters and one son. The AL leader became emotional while recalling his late wife Ivy Rahman, former president of Mohila Awami League, who died in the August 21, 2004 grenade attack on an Awami League rally in the city.
"I miss her. I remember the Aug 21 incident today. I am still moved by the day."
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