Former Sylhet mayor Kamran dies of Covid-19

Senior Awami League leader and former Sylhet city mayor Badruddin Ahmed Kamran died of Covid-19 on Monday. 

The 70-year-old central committee member of the ruling party died around 3am at the Combined Military Hospital in Dhaka. 

Kamran tested positive for the novel coronavirus on June 5. 

He was buried at the Manikpir Tila in Sylhet after the second namaz-e-janaza at around 2.30pm. According to his wish, Kamran was buried next to his parents' graves.

Earlier, his first janaza was held at the Chhararpar Jame Mosque next to his house after Zohr prayers. Although a small number of people took part in the first janaza in compliance with the health rules, a large number of people took part in the second janaza in defiance of the restrictions.

After the janaza, wreaths were laid on Kamran's body by leaders of the district Awami League, city Awami League and Sylhet City Corporation. 

City mayor Ariful Haque Chowdhury, Awami League Central Organising Secretary Shafiul Alam Nadel and other top leaders of the party, councillors and officials of the city corporation were present on the occasion.

Kamran's body reached Sylhet from Dhaka around 12 noon. The body was first taken to his own house in Chhararpar area of the city. 

The party leaders and activists, and relatives were already waiting there. Kamran's wife Asma Kamran, who has two sons and a daughter, has also contracted the virus. However, she is receiving treatment from home.

When Kamran's body reached home, a pall of gloom descended on the area, with relatives and well-wishers breaking down in tears.

Badruddin Ahmed Kamran was admitted to Sylhet Shaheed Shamsuddin Ahmed Hospital on June 6, a day after he had tested positive for Covid-19. 

When his condition deteriorated, he was flown to the Combined Military Hospital in Dhaka on June 7. There, on June 8, Kamran was given plasma therapy. 

SCC declares three-day mourning 
Sylhet City Corporation Mayor Ariful Haque Chowdhury has expressed grief over the death of former mayor Badruddin Ahmed Kamran. The city corporation has announced a three-day mourning programme over his death. All officers and employees of the city corporation will wear black badges and official activities will remain closed for three days.

'Badruddin Kamran, the favorite name among city dwellers'
Badruddin Ahmed Kamran became an integral part of Sylhet politics. He has been repeatedly elected people's representative of Sylhet. Kamran's followers used to chant – "Badruddin Kamran, the favorite name among the city people".

Kamran was involved in politics during the turbulent times of 1969. In 1972, while still a high school student, he became the youngest commissioner of the Sylhet municipality. Since then, he has become an integral part of the municipality. He was commissioner of the municipality for 15 consecutive years. Once he had abstained from election as he was abroad. On his return in 1995, he was elected chairman of the municipality. The Sylhet City Corporation was formed in 2002 and Kamran became its acting mayor.

When the election was held in 2003, Kamran was elected the first mayor of the city. He was imprisoned twice during the 2017-2008 caretaker governemnt. In 2008, while in prison, he ran for the mayoral post and won the election by a landslide. However, he lost to Bangladesh Nationalist Party candidate Ariful Haque Chowdhury in the last two city elections.

In 1989, Badruddin Ahmed Kamran was elected general secretary of the city Awami League and came to the top leadership of the party politics in Sylhet. He was reelected general secretary in 1992 and 1997. 

In 2002, Kamran was elected president of the Sylhet city Awami League for the first time. In 2005 and 2011, he was reelected president of city Awami League. 

Kamran has given the Awami League leadership in Sylhet politics for three decades.

He lost the post of president at the last council of the Sylhet city Awami League in December last year. He was later made an executive member of the central committee of the ruling party.