Rabi: A symbol of honest politician

Rabi Mahmud became an emblem of an austere life along with dedicated work for the party, a quality rarely to be found among present day political leaders, especially those belonging to major parties. 

Mahmud, 60, vice-president of Panchagarh district unit of Awami League, met a tragic death as a bus hit the motorcycle carrying him and another senior party leader Khabir Uddin on Panchagarh-Tentulia highway in Helipad area of Sadar upazila on May 9 while they were going to attend a party meeting at Panchagarh union parishad premises.   

Khabir Uddin, also critically injured in the accident, died at hospital yesterday.

Mahmud with his family comprising wife and two sons lived in a bamboo-fenced tin-roofed room, divided into two parts with a bamboo fence partition -- and it came as a big surprise for those including some party activists who visited the house first time after his sudden demise.

Rabi Mahmud the deceased Awami League leader. Photo: Star

After the assassination of Bangabandhu and his family members when even once seriously active party men shied away, Rabi took charge as president of Awami League's student wing Bangladesh Chhatra League's Panchagarh unit and worked tirelessly to organise the party, said locals including senior party activists. 

In early 1980's, he joined Awami League.       

Outspoken Rabi Mahmud was a common face in all democratic movements in Panchagarh.

He went to jail several times, especially during movements against the autocratic rule of HM Ershad.

Mahmud, who often struggled to maintain his family, hardly left any savings for them.

His wife Laila Arjumand Ara Swapna, who works at a local kindergarten for a small honorarium, is now worried about the future of their two sons -- the elder one studying BSC in Engineering at a private university while the younger son is in Class X.

Ariful Islam, organising secretary of district unit of AL, said, "During the crisis period of Awami League after the assassination of Bangabandhu, Rabi Mahmud served the party without thinking about personal interest. The party should take the responsibility of such a dedicated leader's family."