Sylhet Bureau:
AM Ohid Ahmed, the foreign affairs advisor to the party chairperson, has suddenly become the center of discussion in the Sylhet BNP’s political affairs.There is extensive campaigning going on about him as a potential candidate for the upcoming national elections, especially in the Sylhet-6 (Golapganj-Bianibazar) constituency.
According to local sources, AM Ohid Ahmed, who has a colorful political career that has built a unique image in the international arena, started his political career from his home area of Golapganj.
Ohid Ahmed, a master’s degree holder from Dhaka University, has served from the position of convener of Golapganj Thana Jubo Dal to the position of international affairs secretary of the central Jubo Dal. Similarly, he has served in the British government from the rank of councilor to deputy mayor and even minister. He also contested the British parliamentary elections from the Labour Party.
He lost there by a small margin of votes. Otherwise, he would be a British MP now. Perhaps his passion for Bangladeshi politics and the land and people is what made him return to the country again and again.
As a political legacy of his father,Ohid Ahmed’s elder brother Advocate Maulana Rashid Ahmed and Ohid Ahmed’s political involvement has always been appreciated by everyone. The tradition of their family members standing by the people at any time, especially during winter, flood, Corona, Eid, etc., has continued since pre-independence times. Not only in social service, but they have tried to stand by the party leaders and activists even in political hardships. Especially when M. Ilias Ali, the beloved leader of the people of Sylhet, was arrested as a student, Ohid Ahmed was one of the three leaders who formed the Ilyas Mukti Parishad. The other two are two talented faces of politics, Abdul Qaium Chowdhury and Mamunur Rashid. Who are still choosing their roles with good reputation in Sylhet politics. Ilias Ali went to Ohid Ahmed’s house after being released from prison. He met his father and sought his blessings.
In 2001, the then Finance and Planning Minister Saifur came to lay the foundation stone of the ‘Mahmud Hossain Women’s Madrasa’ built in the name of his father and praised Ohid Ahmed’s political talent and sacrifice in a huge public meeting near his house. In 1997, Ohid Ahmed went to London. For those whose passion is politics, there is no problem with caste or creed. He started British politics and was elected as a councilor by a huge vote in the first time in the London Tower Hamlets A City by the Labour Party nomination. Later, this year, he became the deputy mayor and brought fame to the whole country.
In 2010, he won the parliamentary election from Safak City after receiving the nomination from the then and current government party Labour Party. Although he lost by a small margin of votes. After that, he worked for a long time as a paid advisor to the Local Government Minister (Full Minister) of the Labour government. A. M. Ohid Ahmed is the first Bangladeshi in the history of Britain to be elected as the first Deputy Mayor. This time, he was elected as a councilor for the 5th time, which is why the people of Tower Hamlets have repeatedly trusted him due to his popularity and it is proven that Ohid Bhai is determined to provide services to the people of Bangladesh if he gets the opportunity. During this time, Ohid Ahmed used to come to the area every year and participate in political activities.
Party leaders and activists said that in 2012, when Awami League was misgoverning and Begum Khaleda Zia was being subjected to unfair, unjust and harassing behavior, BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia was given a reception at London Town Hall under the leadership of Ohid Bhai, which is still remembered by people in London. Ohid Ahmed presided over the event.
Former Golapganj Upazila BNP convener Mahius Sunnah Chowdhury Narjis recently said at a youth rally in Golapganj, Ohid Ahmed worked with a sense of responsibility towards BNP while in the country, and he worked in the same way after going to the UK. He played a relentless role in shaping public opinion in the international arena in the past anti-fascist struggle. In recognition of which, Ohid Ahmed is now the Foreign Affairs Advisor to the BNP Chairperson. When newspapers report on the lack of leadership in Sylhet, BNP’s assessment of political leaders like Ohid Ahmed gives us hope. We are hopeful that this dedicated political figure will get nomination for Sylhet-6 (Golapganj Beanibazar) constituency in the next national elections. And through this, such leadership will play an important role in the domestic and international arenas to resolve the political crisis in Sylhet, God willing.
