NAP president Prof Muzaffar Ahmed passes away

Professor Muzaffar Ahmed, president of Bangladesh National Awami Party (Pro-Moscow-NAP) passed away at a private hospital in Dhaka today.

The 97-year-old politician breathed his last around 8:00pm at Apollo Hospitals, NAP Joint General Secretary Ismail Hossain told to The Daily Star.

He was admitted to the hospital a few days ago. He suffered from old age-related complications for long, Ismail said.

Professor Muzaffar Ahmed was the last living adviser to the exiled Mujibnagar Government of Liberation War in 1971.

From the Language Movement in 1952 to the Liberation War and afterwards, all people's welfare-oriented movements, he was in the forefront.

Born on April 14, 1922 in Dewibddar in Cumilla district, he completed his graduation and post-graduation from the department of economics at Dhaka University with distinction. He served in the Economics Department of Dhaka University in 1952-54.

Prof Muzaffar started his political career in 1937 when he was a student. In 1958, military dictator Ayub Khan issued arrest warrant against him. From hide-out, he organised movements against the then president Ayub Khan. He came in open politics after eight years of hide-outs.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has expressed deep shock at the death of the senior politician.

In 1967, he became the president of the-then East Pakistan NAP. He played a leading role in the movement of 1969 for the downfall of dictator president Ayub for which he was put behind the bar.

During the War of Independence in 1971, he was one of the key figures of principal Bengali leadership to attain Bangladesh from the cruel clutches of Pakistan's Army.

His role to organise about 20,000 freedom fighters under his leadership to fight the Pakistani Army in 1971 in order to gain Bangladesh is unforgettable.

In 1979, he was elected the Member of Parliament.