Dhaka: Veteran Awami League leader and top parliamentarian Suranjit Sengupta died at Labaid Hospital in capital Dhaka early Sunday. He was 71.

Suranjit, also a member of the country’s constitution formulation committee and a freedom fighter, had been on life support at the hospital.

He was admitted to the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) of the hospital on February 3 as he had been suffering from a low haemoglobin count.

Suranjit, also a former railways minister, left behind wife Dr Joya Sengupta, son Soumen Sengupta, a host of relatives and well-wishers to mourn his death. 

Suranjit's body was taken to his Zigatola residence in the city at about 9:00am where his relatives, friends, politicians and well-wishers thronged to pay their tribute to him. 

The Parliament speaker deputy speaker whip, central Awami League leaders, including its general secretary and ministers went to the deceased’s residence and also conveyed their sympathy to the bereaved family members.

His body was then taken to Dhakeshwari Temple at noon. Politicians, including BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, people of all walks of life gathered there and paid their homage to the late leader.

Suranjit’s mortal remains were brought to the parliament’s South Plaza at about 3:00pm where President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury, Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Begum Rawshan Ershad, Cabinet members, Advisors to the Prime Minister, members of parliament and leaders of different political parties as well as political associates of late Suranjit Sengon paid their last respect to him.

First the President and then the Prime Minister placed wreaths on his coffin. They also stood there in solemn silence for some time as a mark of respect to the late leader.

Before placing wreaths by the President and the Prime Minister, a smart contingent of the Bangladesh Police gave Guard of honour to the late leader who was also a freedom fighter.

Later, Sheikh Hasina flanked by senior leaders of Awami League placed another wreath on Suranjit’s coffin.

Wreath was also laid on behalf of BNP by its senior leader Moudud Ahmad paying deep respect to the Awami League law maker.

Later, a special prayer was held seeking the eternal peace of the departed soul of late Suranjit Sengupta.

Earlier, Chief Whip of Jatiya Sangsad ASM Firoz delivered speech highlighting life and works of the veteran Awami League leader late Suranjit Sengupta while his son Soumen Sengupta also spoke on the occasion.

His body will be kept at the Labaid hospital mortuary. It will be brought to Sylhet at 9:00am on Monday, Obaidul Quader said.

From Sylhet, the mortal remains will be taken to Sunamganj around 11am and finally it will be brought to his constituency Dirai upazila around 3pm for cremation.

"He (Suranjit) was a lively person in our political history. I think he was a number one parliamentarian. A huge vacuum has been created with his death," Quader said while briefing journalists.

Paying homage to him at Dhakeshwari Temple, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul said Suranjit was a man of great soul. “An honest, sincere and experienced leader like him (Suranjit) is rare. I had a personal relation with him for a long time.”

Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Harsh Vardhan Shringla in a statement said, Suranjit was clearly a leader of immense stature, standing, sagacity and dignity. 

Meanwhile, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia expressed deep shock at the death of Suranjit Sengupta, an MP from Sunamganj-2 constituency as well as the chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Ministry.

Born on May 5, 1946 at Anwarpur village in Dirai upazila of Sunamganj district, Suranjit passed SSC from Dirai High School and HSC from Sylhet MC College and later completed his graduation and post-graduation in History from Dhaka University.

He received LLB degree from Central Law College and started his career as a lawyer.

Suranjit who had got engaged with leftist politics during his student life was elected as a competitive candidate of the National Awami Party (NAP) in the Provincial Assembly in 1970’s National Election of Pakistan.

He was a vocal member of the Opposition Bench in the first constituent assembly of Bangladesh and soon after he led a party named the Ekota Party. Suranjit joined Awami League in early 1990s. He, being a high-ranking politician in the Awami League, is considered as an influential face for the Hindu community in Bangladesh.

Suranjit was a member of Awami League’s advisory council.  He was elected member of parliament for eight times in the post-liberation period.

He took over as Railway Minister and resigned after 5 months in April 2012. Later, Suranjit was made a minister without portfolio.

Suranjit was a member of 34-member Constitution Drafting Committee, formed after the Liberation War.

He was a commander of Tekerghat sub-sector under Sector-five in Sylhet district as he took part in the Liberation War in 1971 directly.