BNP leader Tariqul Islam passes away

BNP standing committee member and former minister Tariqul Islam breathed his last at the city's Apollo Hospitals. He was 73.

Tariqul was suffering from kidney, diabetic, high blood pressure and old-age complications for several years, according to his son Aninda Islam Amit.

He was admitted to Azgar Ali Hospital in the city on October 10 and was later shifted to Apollo Hospitals in Gulshan on October 12. He died there at 5:05pm.

The former minister left behind his wife Nargis Islam, two sons and a host of relatives, friends and political followers to mourn his death.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir expressed deep shock at the death of Tariqul and extended sympathy to the bereaved family. He also prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul.

Leaders of the BNP national standing committee and the newly formed political alliance Jatiya Oikyafront leader Dr Kamal Hossain also expressed their deep shock at the death of the progressive political leader.

The BNP observes a mourning day today by hoisting black flags at its offices across the country. The party leaders and activists will wear black badges.

The first namaz-e-janaza of the deceased would be held in front of the party's Naya Paltan headquarters at 10:00am and the second janaza at the South Plaza of Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban at 11:15am, said Sayrul Kabir Khan, a staff member of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's media wing.

The deceased would be flown to Jashore and buried at the Karbala Graveyard after namaz-e-janaza following asr prayers at Jashore Eidgah Maidan today, he told The Daily Star.

Tariqul Islam, born on November 16, 1946 in Jashore, did his BA (economics) from Jessore Michael Madhususdan College and MA in economics from Rajshahi University in 1969. He was engaged in leftist politics during his student life and faced jail sentences during the Pakistan regime.

He joined National Awami Party of Mawlana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani and took part in the Liberation War in 1971. Later, he joined Jatiyatabadi Gonotantrik Dal. He joined BNP in 1978 during its founder Ziaur Rahman's rule. He held the positions of joint secretary general, acting secretary general and vice-chairman of the party.

Known as a progressive political leader, Tariqul was the first elected chairman of Jashore Municipality and was elected MP for four times from the district.

Since 1982, Tariqul served as state minister and minister for the ministries of roads and railways, social welfare and women affairs, post and telecommunications, food, information, and forest and environment.

Tariqul had long been inactive in politics due to his illness. He last attended the standing committee meeting in February this year before Khaleda was sent to jail in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.

BNP Standing Committee Member Tariqul Islam. File photo