Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today paid rich tributes to Professor Muzaffar Ahmed, president of Bangladesh National Awami Party (Pro-Moscow NAP) and also the last surviving member of the advisory council of the Mujibnagar government that led Bangladesh’s Liberation War in 1971.

The prime minister paid the homage by placing a wreath on his coffin draped with the red-green national flag at the South Plaza of Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban in Dhaka this morning, BSS reports.

After laying the wreath, the premier stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memory of Prof Muzaffar, also a member of the advisory council of the Mujibnagar government that led Bangladesh’s Liberation War in 1971.

Flanked by senior leaders of the party, Sheikh Hasina, also the Awami League (AL) president, placed another wreath on the coffin of Prof Muzaffar on behalf of her party, BSS reports.

AL general secretary Obaidul Quader, joint secretaries Mahbub-ul Alam Hanif and Jahangir Kabir Nanak, organizing secretary Enamul Haque Shameem, information and research secretary Advocate Afzal Hussain, office secretary Dr Abdus Sobhan Golap and other central leaders of the party were present on the occasion.

Later, Jatiya Sangsad speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury placed a wreath on the coffin of the veteran politician. Earlier, a wreath was placed on the coffin of Prof Muzaffar on behalf of President M Abdul Hamid.

Earlier around 11:00pm, the first namaz-e-janaza of the NAP president was held at South Plaza of Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, according to BSS.

Muzaffar’s body will be taken to the central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka later in the day so that people could pay their last tributes to him.

From Shaheed Minar, the body will be taken to Baitul Mukarram National Mosque where his second namaz-e-janaza will be held after Asr prayers, Ivy Ahmed, daughter of Prof Muzaffar told The Daily Star.

Muzaffar Ahmed will be buried at Elahbad village of Debidwar upazila in Cumilla after tomorrow’s Johr prayers after his third namaz-e-janaza in the district town, she said.

The veteran politician died at Apollo Hospitals due to age-related complications yesterday.