Veteran politician and Awami League leader Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury saw the construction of Padma Bridge, but never got the chance to cross it due to her illness.
Her son, Shahdab Akbar Labu told Bangla Tribune that the late Faridpur-2 lawmaker had a wish to see the bridge of dreams, but could not attend the inauguration as she was not well.
“My mother wanted to visit the bridge, but never could. We have now crossed the Padma Bridge to go to Nagarkanda upazila of Faridpur for her namaz-e-janaza, but she cannot see it,” he added.
The first namaz-e-janaza of Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, who died late Sunday night due to old-age complications at the age of 87, will be held at 11am at MN Academy school ground in Nagarkanda upazila of Faridpur.
Her body will be taken to Central Shaheed Minar at Dhaka University for people of all walks life to pay tribute to the veteran Awami League leader.
Later, she will be laid to eternal rest with state honour at Banani graveyard after her second namaz-e-janaza at Baitul Mokarram National Mosque following the Asr prayers, Awami League Office Secretary Biplob Barua confirmed the matter to Dhaka Tribune.
The Faridpur-2 lawmaker breathed her last while undergoing treatment at Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Dhaka at 11:40pm on Sunday.
Sajeda Chowdhury was Sheikh Hasina’s long-time companion on the street movements.
She got the Independence Award in 2010.
She became the party’s general secretary in 1986 and held the position till 1992 when she was inducted into the Presidium.
Following the landslide victory of the Awami League in the 2008 elections, she was initially appointed deputy leader of the house in 2009.
After the Awami League won the 2014 elections, Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury was reappointed to the same position.
In 2019, she was elected member of the parliament from Faridpur-2 constituency for the seventh time and elected deputy leader of the House for the third time.
Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, one of the organizers of the Liberation War, was born in a respected Muslim family in Magura in 1935.
She joined Awami League in 1956. She served as the founding general secretary of Mohila Awami League from 1969-1975.
She was the founding director of Kolkata Gobra Nursing Camp during the Liberation War.
The veteran leader also served as the acting general secretary of Awami League.
