Editorial
A patriot exits
We mourn Razzak's passing away
We are saddened by the demise of veteran political leader Abdur Razzak, drawing a curtain over an eventful career spanning five decades of the country's chequered political history. His protracted illness under serious physical conditions and death away from home in a London hospital added poignancy to the sense of loss pervading the nation left in a state of deep mourning.
A steadfast believer in AL ideals and a staunch follower of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, he had been an asset for the AL. He galvanised the youth force with his tremendous organising capability and rallied it behind the 1962 student upheaval, 1966 Six-point movement, 1969 mass upsurge, 1970 elections and the Liberation War. He was dynamic, popular, and appealing, sterling qualities that made him a natural leader of the younger generations.
He was twice general secretary of Bangladesh Chhatra League and its parent oranisation Awami League besides serving the party as its organising secretary. He went on to become an influential presidium member of the party. Till his demise he had been serving as chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on water resources ministry.
Part of the credit for the Awami League being a highly organised party must go to Razzak. As a measure of his sacrifice and devotion to his party, one has only to cite his incarceration in Pakistan as well as in free Bangladesh.
He had served as water resources minister in the AL government between 1996 and 2001. He was never defeated in any election he contested -- emerging as member of the Provincial Assembly in 1970, and member of parliament in 1973, 1991, 1996, 2001 and 2008. That's how his roots struck deep into the constituency he represented.
He was a true patriot with the courage of conviction to fight for the causes he held dear to his heart to the last ounce of his strength.
He was genuine and sincere in whatever he did. He will be missed by his party and the nation.
We express our condolences to his bereaved family. May his soul rest in peace.
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