Hundreds of people queued up with flowers to pay tributes to legendary parliamentarian and politician Suranjit Sengutpa at the Dhakeshwari National Temple.
T
he body of Sengutpa, who died early on Sunday aged 71, was taken on the premises of the temple in the afternoon with politicians, diplomats, professionals, cultural and social activists thronging to have a last glimpse of him.
Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha, Awami League (AL) Advisory Council member Amir Hossain Amu, AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader, Prime Minister’s International Affairs Adviser Professor Gowher Rizvi, Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Sayeed Khokan, Indian Deputy High Commissioner in Dhaka Adarsh Swaika, AL Advisory Council member Mukul Bose, Oikya NAP President Pankaj Bhattacharya, Gono Forum executive president Advocate Subrato Chowdhury,
Actor ATM Shamsuzzaman, lawmaker Haji Mohammad Selim, Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA) President Dr Mostafa Jalal Mohiuddin, Gonotantri Party presidium member Nurur Rahman Selim, AL organizing secretary Ahmad Hossain and Bangladesh Chhatra League General Secretary SM Jakir Hossain, among others, paid their rich tributes to Sengupta placing wreaths at his coffin.
“The passing away of Suranjit Sengupta has created a vacuum in the arena of politics,” AL leader Amu said adding that whenever they faced any law related problem, they went to Sengupta for solution.
We will have to wait for a long time to get such a trusted person, he added.
On behalf of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir paid homage to him.
Experienced, honest and devoted leader like Suranjit Sengupta is rare in the political arena. He was a great person, Fakhrul said adding that he had a personal relationship with Sengupta who used to a play crucial role during the crisis period.
He could achieve people’s confidence. We are deeply shocked at the death of the veteran parliamentarian, he said.
Suranjit, who was suffering from cancer, breathed his last at about 4:29am, hours after he was put on life support system at the Labaid Hospital where he was admitted on Friday.
The veteran parliamentarian had been suffering from cancer for long which collapsed his central nervous system and made his lungs dysfunctional.
Fakhrul showers praises on Suranjit
Dhaka: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday said veteran Awami League leader Suranjit Sengupta who passed away at a city hospital was a man of great soul.
An honest, sincere and experienced leader like him (Suranjit) is rare. I had a personal relation with him for a long time. I knew him as a man of great soul, he said.
The BNP leader came up with the remarks while talking to reporters after paying last respect to Suranjit at Dhakeshwari temple.
Fakhrul also recalled Surnjit’s role in formulation of the country’s constitution and consolidating democracy by providing his thoughts and suggestions during the country’s political crisis.
A vacuum has been created in the country’s parliamentary politics through his demise. “I’m deeply shocked at his demise, the BNP secretary general said.
We, on behalf of BNP and our chairperson, express deep shock at his death and pray for the eternal peace of his departed soul.
Former ministers and season politician Suranjit Sengupta died at Labaid Hospital in capital Dhaka early Sunday at the age of 71.
Born on May 5, 1946 at Anwarpur village in Dirai upazila of Sunamganj district, Suranjit was elected Member of Parliament for eight times during the post-liberation period and also a member of 34-member Constitution Drafting Committee.
Biography of Suranjit Sengupta
Awami League leader Suranjit Sengupta dies at 71
Veteran Awami League leader Suranjit Sengupta died at Labaid Hospital in the city early Sunday. He was 71.
He was a Member of Parliament (Awami League) in the Jatiyo Sangshad, as well as the Chairman of Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee.
Early life
Suranjit was born on May 5, 1945 (according to Bangladesh Parliament website) at Anwarpur village under Derai Upazila of Sunamganj.
He completed his MA from Dhaka University. He also received LLB degree from Central Law College.
Freedom Fighter
He was a Freedom Fighter who actively took part in the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. He participated in the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971.
Political career
Suranjit started his political career with leftist parties. In 1970’s National Election of Pakistan, he was elected from the Sylhet District as a candidate of the National Awami Party (NAP) in the Provincial Assembly.
In the first constituent assembly of Bangladesh, he was a vocal member of the Opposition Bench. Later, he floated and led the Ekota Party.
In the early 1990s, he joined Awami League. Sengupta is a Member of Parliament (Awami League) in the Jatiyo Sangshad, as well as the Chairman of Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee.
Railway Minister
The Awami League-led government appointed Suranjit as Railway Minister, but after a bribery scandal became known, leaders from both the Bangladesh Workers Party and the Awami League called for him to resign. Later, he resigned in 2012 after 5 months of his appointment as Railway Minister of the Bangladesh.
Railway gate scandal
Suranjit took over as Railway Minister and resigned after 5 months on an allegation of bribery. He was accused of direct involvement in corruption 100 million Taka. On 9 April 2012 his assistant personal secretary, general manager of the eastern region, and commandant of security were driving to Suranjit’s residence with 7.4 million Taka of bribe money when the driver Azam Khan turned them in. On 17 April 2012, Suranjit Sengupta was appointed minister without portfolio one day after submitting his resignation as Railways Minister and after being accused of bribery.