Lost a trusted colleague: Hasina

The death of veteran politician and Awami League presidium member Mohammed Nasim cast a pall of gloom in the country's political and socio-cultural arenas. Tributes and condolences have been pouring in from all quarters for the spokesperson of the ruling AL-led 14-party alliance. The passing of Nasim, son of captain Mansur Ali, one of the four national leaders, has created a void in the country's politics, said statements from different organisations.

Former home and health minister Nasim breathed his last at Bangladesh Specialized Hospital yesterday at the age of 72.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed deep shock at his death.

In a condolence message, the president said Nasim was a fearless fighter in all the democratic movements of the country. Nasim's death is an irreparable loss to the nation and his name will forever shine in the country's political history, Hamid said.

The prime minister, in her message, said, "Bangladesh has lost a patriot and a leader of the people... and I've lost a trusted comrade."

Like his father, Nasim worked for the welfare of the country and its people, following the ideals of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the PM said. "Defying all odds and hurdles, he played a unique role in establishing the ideals of the Liberation War and the spirit of secularism," she added.

Yesterday, Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain; Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury; Deputy Speaker Fazle Rabbi Miah; Awami League general secretary and Road Transport And Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader; Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Huq; Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal; Agriculture Minister Muhammad Abdur Razzaque; Law Minister Anisul Huq, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan; Planning Minister MA Mannan; Education Minister Dipu Moni; Information Minister Mohammad Hasan Mahmud; Expatriates' Welfare And Overseas Employment Minister Imran Ahmad; Post And Telecommunications Minister Mustafa Jabbar; Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen; Local Government And Rural Development Minister Tajul Islam; Environment Minister Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Shahab Uddin; Health Minister Zahid Maleque; Land Minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury; Commerce Minister of Tipu Munshi; Textiles and Jute Minister Golam Dastagir Gazi; Railways minister Nurul Islam Sujon; Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim and PM's private industry and investment adviser Salman Fazlur Rahman expressed shock at his death.

Besides, State minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam; Primary and Mass Education State Minister Zakir Hossain; State Minister For Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury; Women And Children Affairs State Minister Fazilatun Nessa and others also expressed shock.

Jatiya Oikyafront, led by Dr Kamal Hossain, also condoled the death of the veteran leader, reports UNB.

In a condolence message, top leaders of the alliance said the role of Mohammad Nasim in all democratic movements of Bangladesh, including the Liberation War, will ever be remembered.

Gonoforum president Dr Kamal Hossain; BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir; standing committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan; JSD president ASM Abdur Rob; Nagorik Oikya convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna; Gonoforum general secretary Dr Reza Kibria; Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder Dr Zafrullah and Prof Nurul Amin Bepari jointly issued the message.

Meanwhile while addressing a virtual press briefing from his  Uttara residence, Mirza Fakhrul said, "We mourn the demise of Mohammed Nasim."

Besides, Communist Party of Bangladesh; Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal; Workers Party of Bangladesh; Bangladesh National Awami Party; Oikya NAP; Sammilito Samajik Andolon; Ekattorer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee; Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Oikya Parishad; Bangladesh Medical Association; Dhaka University and National University and former cabinet member Syed Abul Hossain, along with many others also condoled the death of Nasim.