Sadeque Hossain Khoka, two-time mayor of undivided Dhaka City Corpora-tion and vice-chairman of BNP, is in critical condition and fighting for life at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan, New York.

Khoka’s son Ishraque Hossain yesterday told The Daily Star that Khoka was kept at the intensive care unit of the hospital and could be placed on life support anytime.

“Doctors gave up hope on improving his health condition and stopped giving him all sorts of treatment,” Ishraque said.

He also requested all to pray for his father’s wellbeing.

Khoka, who is also a freedom fighter, stepped into politics through Moulana Bhasani’s National Awami Party (NAP). Later, he joined BNP, and was made the party’s Dhaka city unit president.

Khoka was first elected MP in 1991. Later, he contested Dhaka City Corporation election in 2002 and was elected mayor. He held the post for nearly nine years.

On May 14, 2014, Khoka went to the USA on travel visa for receiving cancer treatment. His wife also went there with him.