Former minister and BNP vice-chairman Abdullah Al Noman passed away yesterday.

He was 82.

The veteran politician fell ill at his Dhanmondi home around 6:00am. He was rushed to Square Hospitals, where doctors declared him dead, said Shamsuddin Didar, BNP chairperson's media wing member.

Noman, who took part in the Liberation War, was involved in left politics before joining the BNP.

The BNP leader, who is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter, was scheduled to address a rally of Chattogram Uttar Zila BNP yesterday as the chief guest in Chattogram city's Kazir Dewri area. The event was postponed following his death, said Golam Akbar Khandakar, convener of Chattogram Uttar Zila BNP.

His first namaz-e-janaza was held in front of BNP's Nayapaltan central office around 5:00pm, where hundreds of BNP leaders and activists attended the prayers. His second namaz-e-janaza will be held at Jamiyatul Falah Mosque ground in Chattogram on February 28. He will be buried at his family graveyard in Raozan after a third namaz-e-janaza there, said Idris Ali, former city BNP office secretary.

Born in 1942 of Raozan's Gohira, Noman was a key figure in Bangladesh's labour movement and played a vital role in shaping the labour policies. He held several ministerial positions throughout his political career.

After being elected lawmaker from Chattogram-9 (Kotwali) in 1991 for the first time, Noman served as the fisheries and livestock minister. He became the food minister following his victory in the 2001 election from the same constituency.

Noman began his political journey in the early 1960s as a member of Chhatra Union while protesting against the Hamidur Rahman Education Commission. He served as the general secretary of Chattogram city unit of Chhatra Union, president of Greater Chattogram of Chhatra Union, and central organising secretary of Chhatra Union.

After his student life, he joined labour politics under the leadership of Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani. He was the vice-president of the East Bengal Workers' Federation and was also secretly involved in the politics of the Bhashani-led NAP. In 1970, he was made the central organising secretary of NAP.

In 1971, Noman took part in the Liberation War and fought against the Pakistan occupation forces. Following the war, he was active in NAP politics. After president Ziaur Rahman formed the BNP, Noman joined the party in 1981.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and other leaders expressed profound shock over the demise of Noman.

In his condolence message, the chief adviser said Noman was a talented leader in Bangladesh politics and was a valiant freedom fighter, reports BSS.

He added that Noman remained active in politics from the early sixties and till his last breath.

In a condolence message, Tarique said Noman used to take a stand for the people during all the crises.