President, PM pay tributes to Suranjit Sengupta

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid rich tributes to veteran Awami League leader and former minister Suranjit Sengupta, MP, by placing wreaths on his coffin at South Plaza of Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban here yesterday afternoon.

The president placed the wreaths first on the coffin draped in the national flag followed by the prime minister.

After placing the wreaths, they stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memory of Sengupta.

Flanked by central leaders of the party, Sheikh Hasina, also the president of Awami League, laid another wreath on the coffin of the veteran parliamentarian.

Later, Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Deputy Speaker Fazley Rabbi Mian, Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Begum Raushan Ershad, Chief Whip ASM Feroze and other whips placed wreaths separately on the coffin.

Leaders of 14-Party also placed wreaths on the coffin of Sengupta, while BNP Standing Committee Member Moudud Ahmed laid a wreath on behalf of his party.

A special prayer was offered seeking salvation of the departed soul of Sengupta.

The prime minister also talked to the family members of the late lawmaker and consoled them.

Ministers, advisers to the Prime Minister, whips and parliament members were present on the occasion.

Earlier, a guard of honour was given to Sengupta by the members of Bangladesh Police, while Chief Whip spoke briefly on his life and works.

Sengupta's son Soumen Sengupta also spoke on behalf of his family.

Sengupta, the chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, died of lung cancer at Labaid Hospital in Dhaka early today. He was 72.

A member of Awami League Advisory Council and a parliament member from Sunamganj-2 constituency, Sengupta previously served as the railways minister.

Source: BSS