Dhaka:Former deputy minister and veteran BNP leader Abdul Hai died early Thursday at a hospital in the capital at the age of 77. A freedom fighter, Hai passed away around 130 am while receiving treatment in the intensive care unit of Popular Hospital in Dhanmondi, according to his family members.
According to United News of Bangladesh, his first namaz-e-janaza is scheduled to take place at 3 pm on Thursday at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in attendance. His second janaza will occur at 4 pm in front of the BNP's central office in Nayapaltan, followed by a third one in the evening at the party office in the Supermarket area of Munshiganj town. The fourth and final janaza will be held at night at the Eidgah field of Mireshwarai Alia Madrasa in Panchasar Union under Sadar upazila.
Abdul Hai, known for his principles, integrity, and straightforwardness, was born on January 5, 1949, in Hosendi village of Gazaria upazila in Munshiganj. He is survived by two sons and two daughters. His younger brother, Mohiuddin Ahmed, was the member secretary of the Munshiganj district unit of the BNP.
Hai completed his higher secondary education and bachelor's degree at Munshiganj Government Haraganga College. Throughout his political career, he held several key positions within the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, including president of the Munshiganj district unit. Hai was elected to parliament five times, serving once from Dhaka-8 and three times from Munshiganj-4. He served as deputy minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives during the fifth parliament and was elected panel speaker in the eighth parliament. Additionally, he was the BNP's treasurer at the central level.