Sayedul Hoque

Fisheries and Livestock Minister Muhammed Sayedul Hoque, who was a close aide of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and an organiser of freedom fighters in 1971, died yesterday morning at a hospital in the capital.

He was 75.

The veteran politician had been admitted at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University hospital since September 17 with multiple age related complications. He was put on life support on Wednesday.

Sayedul is survived by his wife and son.

His first namaz-e-janaza will be held at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad at 9:00am today, said a press release.

His body will be taken to his hometown Nasirnagar, Brahmanbaria, for a second janaza at Ashutosh Pilot High School at 11:00am, said Shah Alam, public relations officer of the fisheries ministry.

He will be buried at his family graveyard in Purbobhagh village after Zohr prayers.

Sayedul was born on March 4, 1942, in Purbobhagh village.

Over the course of a career that began when he was in college in the mid 60s, Sayedul was elected MP five times, 1973, 1996, 2001, 2008 and 2014. 

Known for his clean image and popularity in his constituency, Sayedul became the fisheries minister when the Awami League formed the government in 2014.

He was the vice-president of Brahmanbaria College Students' Union in 1965 and he actively took part in the movements leading to the Liberation War.

He did his MA in Economics and LLB at Dhaka University in 1970.

President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury, Finance Minister AMA Muhith, and many others expressed shock at Sayedul's death.

In their messages, they recalled Sayedul's contributions to the country's independence, saying he played an important role in the six-point movement and took part in the Liberation War.

The country lost a dedicated and honest leader, they said.

They also prayed for his departed soul and conveyed condolences to the grieving family.

President Abdul Hamid said, “His death left a vacuum in the political arena. His contribution to the welfare of the country and its people, and to flourish the spirit of Liberation War will always be remembered."

Residents of Nasirnagar said Sayedul always stood by them through thick and thin. 

“We lost a generous politician, social worker and an experienced MP. This loss is irreparable," Morad Mridha, a journalist of Nasirnagar, said.