Obituary: Ex-President Badruddoza Chy passes away

Staff Reporter :

Veteran politician and former President of Bangladesh, Professor AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury, passed away early Saturday morning, October 5th, at the age of 93.

He breathed his last at 3:10 AM at the Medical College for Women in Uttara, where he had been receiving treatment for a lung infection and heart complications, according to a press statement issued by his press secretary.

He had been admitted to the hospital on October 2nd due to a lung infection. His daughter, Dr. Shayla Chowdhury, had previously stated that her father was also suffering from ischemic heart disease.

A Life of Service in Medicine and Politics
Born in Cumilla in 1930, B Chowdhury was just days away from his 94th birthday, which he would have celebrated on October 11th.

He began his career as a medical professional, joining the Rajshahi Medical College as an associate professor of medicine in 1964, later moving to Sir Salimullah Medical College in Dhaka, and subsequently serving as a professor at Sylhet Medical College.

Chowdhury’s shift into politics came in 1978, when he joined the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) at the request of its founder and then-President, Ziaur Rahman. In 1979, he was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) from Munshiganj in the second Jatiya

Sangsad election. His career in politics progressed rapidly as he served as deputy prime minister and later held cabinet positions. His political achievements continued when he was elected MP again in 1991, eventually becoming the Deputy Leader of the House.

In 2001, during BNP’s return to power, B Chowdhury was appointed foreign minister. Later that year, he ascended to the country’s highest office, becoming the President of Bangladesh in November 2001. However, his presidency was short-lived, as he resigned on June 21, 2002, due to political differences within the ruling party.

Undeterred, B Chowdhury went on to form his own political party, Bikalpa Dhara, in 2004, making significant contributions to Bangladesh’s political landscape throughout his career.

A Political Legacy

B Chowdhury hailed from a politically active family. His father, Kafiluddin Chowdhury, was the general secretary of the United Front and served as a minister in the provincial cabinet of the then East Pakistan. Kafiluddin was also a prominent leader of the Awami League, further cementing the family’s political legacy.

Despite his political affiliations, B Chowdhury’s contributions to Bangladesh went beyond party lines. He was a dedicated public servant who championed various causes during his time in office and throughout his political career.

A Personal Loss

B Chowdhury is survived by his wife, Hasina Warda Chowdhury, and their three children—Muna Chowdhury, a lawyer; Dr. Shayla Chowdhury, a medical professional; and Mahi B Chowdhury, a politician and former MP. His death is a significant loss to the political and medical communities in Bangladesh.

As the nation mourns his passing, tributes have begun pouring in, with political leaders and public figures praising his decades of service and dedication to the country. His life, marked by tireless service and commitment to his people, leaves behind a lasting legacy in both the political and healthcare sectors of Bangladesh.