Suranjit Sengupta
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Suranjit Sengupta (5 May 1945 – 5 February 2017) was a veteran Bangladeshi politician and lawyer, known for his significant contributions to the country's political landscape. He was a member of the Bangladesh Awami League and served as the first Minister of Railways in Bangladesh. Sengupta represented the Sunamganj-2 constituency in the Jatiya Sangsad (National Parliament) for multiple terms and was a member of the party's advisory council.[1]
| Suranjit Sengupta | |
|---|---|
|
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| Suranjit Sengupta in 2012 | |
| Minister of Railways | |
| 6 December 2011 | To 18 April 2012 |
| Predecessor | Position established |
| Successor | Obaidul Quader |
| 1979 | To 1988 |
| Predecessor | Position established |
| Successor | Abul Hasnat |
| Personal Information | |
| Born | 1 May 1945 Anwarpur, Sylhet District, Assam Province, British India |
| Died | February 5, 2017 (aged 80) Dhaka, Bangladesh |
| Nationality | Bangladeshi |
| Children | Soumen Sengupta |
| Spouse | Joya Sengupta |
Early Life and Education
Sengupta was born on 5 May 1945 in Anwarpur village, Derai Upazila, Sunamganj District, then part of Assam Province under British India. He was the youngest among four brothers and a sister. His father, Devendra Nath Sengupta, and mother, Sumati Bala Sengupta, raised him in a family that valued education. Sengupta completed his bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Dhaka and earned a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from Central Law College.[2]
Political Career
Sengupta began his political journey with leftist parties during his student years. In the 1970 Pakistani general election, he was elected to the Provincial Assembly from Sylhet District as a candidate of the National Awami Party. During the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, he served as a sub-commander in Sector 5, contributing to the country's fight for independence.[3]
After independence, Sengupta was a vocal member of the opposition in the Constituent Assembly of Bangladesh. He was elected to the Jatiya Sangsad in the second (1979), third (1986), fifth (1991), seventh (1996), eighth (2001), ninth (2008), and tenth (2014) parliaments. In 1996, he joined the Bangladesh Awami League and was appointed as the Prime Minister's adviser on parliamentary affairs.[4]
In December 2011, Sengupta was appointed as the first Minister of Railways in Bangladesh. However, he resigned in April 2012 amid a bribery scandal, after which he served as a minister without portfolio.[5]
Personal Life
Sengupta was married to Joya Sengupta, and they had a son named Soumen Sengupta. He was known for his passion for writing and playing cricket.[6]
Death
Sengupta passed away on 5 February 2017 in Dhaka at the age of 71. His death marked the end of a significant era in Bangladeshi politics.[7]
References
- ↑ "Veteran Awami League politician, parliamentarian Suranjit Sengupta dies". https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/veteran-awami-league-politician-parliamentarian-suranjit-sengupta-dies.
- ↑ "Suranjit Sengupta: At a glance". https://www.thedailystar.net/politics/suranjit-sengupta-glance-1356298.
- ↑ "Sengupta, Suranjit". https://en.banglapedia.org/index.php/Sengupta,_Suranjit.
- ↑ "Profile of Suranjit Sengupta". https://www.parliament.gov.bd/profile-mp-10th.html.
- ↑ "Suranjit Sengupta resigns as Railway Minister". https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-230487.
- ↑ "Suranjit Sengupta: A veteran voice of Bangladeshi politics". https://www.newagebd.net/article/9838.
- ↑ "Suranjit Sengupta passes away". https://www.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%9E%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A4-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%97%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A4-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%87.