Veteran politician, former PM Mizan Chowdhury passes away, 2nd Ld

Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury, a former Prime Minister, leading organiser of the Bangladesh Liberation War and a veteran Awami League leader, breathed his last early Thursday at the BIRDEM hospital in the capital.2nd Ld

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Dhaka, Feb 2 (BDNEWS) – Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury, a former Prime Minister, leading organiser of the Bangladesh Liberation War and a veteran Awami League leader, breathed his last early Thursday at the BIRDEM hospital in the capital.

He was 80.

He left behind his wife, four sons, four daughters, a number of grandchildren and a host of relatives, friends and followers to mourn his death.

Chowdhury had long been suffering from various old-age complications.

Leaders of the AL and different political parties thronged the BIRDEM Hospital and his residence as the sad news broke in the morning.

Opposition Leader and AL President Sheikh Hasina went to his house, placed floral wreaths at his coffin, prayed for the salvation of the departed soul and expressed deep sympathy for the bereaved family members.

She was accompanied by Abdul Jalil, MP, Obaidul Kader, Syed Abul Hossain, MP, Major (retd) Rafiqul Islam, Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya and Noor-e-Alam Chowdhury Liton, MP.

Law Minister Barrister Moudud Ahmed, Jatiya Party (Ershad) leaders Kazi Zafar Ahmed and Shah Moazzem Hossain, Jatiya Party (Manju) secretary general Sheikh Shahidul Islam and Krishak Sramik Janata League president Kader Siddiqui, MP, also visited the house and placed wreaths.

The first janaza of late Chowdhury was held at Gulshan Azad Mosque.

His body was later taken to Central Shaheed Minar where people from different walks of life showed respect to him by placing wreaths.

The body was then taken to the central AL office at Bangabandhu Avenue in the afternoon. Leaders of the AL, its front organisations, 14-party alliance, Gano Forum, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal and Gano Forum placed wreaths at the coffin of Mizan Chowdhury.

From the AL office, the body was taken to Baitul Mokarram National Mosque where the second nmamaj-e-janaza was held. Politicians, civil society leaders, senior journalists and cultural personalities attended the janaza.

Here floral wreaths were offered on behalf of the Prime Minister.

His body will be kept at the BIRDEM Hospital mortuary overnight.

On Friday, his body will be taken to Shahrasti and Hajiganj in Chandpur where janazas will take place.

After janaza at Chandpur Government College ground, he will be buried at his family graveyard.

Mizan Chowdhury's long chequered political life started in 1962 when he was elected an independent member of the then Pakistan National Assembly.

The same year he joined the Awami League.

For three consecutive terms in 1962, 1965 and 1970 he was elected to the then Pakistan National Assembly.

Chowdhury was elected the Organising Secretary of Awami League in 1966.

He discharged the responsibility of Acting General Secretary of the party in 1966-67 after the arrest of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Tajuddin Ahmed and other top party leaders.

In 1967, he was also arrested.

Mizan Chowdhury served as Information Minister of the Bangabandhu cabinet in 1973.

He joined the Jana Dal and later Jatiya Party of HM Ershad in 1984 and became the Prime Minister.

He was an elected member of the Jatiya Sangsad in 1979, 1986, 1988 and 1991.

Mizan Chowdhury formally returned to Awami League on August 27, 2001.

He was a member of the Awami league Advisory Council till his death.

Opposition Leader and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina expressed her deep condolence at the sad demise of veteran Awami League leader Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury.

In a condolence message, the Opposition Leader expressed her deep shock at the death of the close fellow of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and a foremost organiser of the 1971 Liberation War.

In the message, Hasina said Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury played a vital role under the leadership of Bangabandhu from 1952 language movement to the liberation war for establishing the rights of the Bengali people.

"The nation will remember him for his outstanding role in galvanizing the nation for its freedom under the leadership of Bangabandhu," she added.

BDNEWS/1815 hrs