Early on Saturday morning, Bangladesh lost a towering figure, former president Prof Dr AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury.
He was 94 years old at the time of his passing, leaving behind a legacy of political and medical accomplishments that will be remembered for generations.
Born on October 11, 1930, in Comilla, Badruddoza Chowdhury had an illustrious career that spanned politics, healthcare, and the arts.
He was a distinguished physician, having graduated with top honors from Dhaka Medical College and receiving further medical training from prestigious institutions abroad, including Edinburgh.
His work as a physician earned him widespread recognition, but his career did not stop there.
In the late 1960s, Badruddoza Chowdhury became a household name as the presenter of the popular television show "Apnar Daktar" (Your Doctor), through which he provided medical advice to the public.
He also held leadership roles in international medical conferences on tuberculosis and chest diseases, representing Bangladesh on global platforms.
His deep commitment to healthcare led him to establish the Health and Welfare Trust, which was instrumental in founding Bangladesh's first women’s medical college.
However, it was his involvement in politics that truly cemented his place in Bangladesh’s history.
BNP
Badruddoza Chowdhury has always been a notable figure in Bangladesh's political arena.
Inspired by the nationalist ideology of General Ziaur Rahman, B Chowdhury entered politics in 1979 as the founder general secretary of the newly-formed Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
His political career rose quickly, and he became deputy prime minister the same year, overseeing the Ministry of Health and Family Planning under Ziaur Rahman’s government.
Over the years, he held various ministerial portfolios, including Foreign Affairs, Science and Technology, Education, and Culture.
Badruddoza Chowdhury was elected a Member of Parliament (MP) from the Munshiganj-1 constituency five times.
He served twice as deputy leader of the house in the Jatiya Sangsad and once as deputy leader of the opposition.
Presidency
In 2001, he was appointed foreign minister under Khaleda Zia’s government, and later, on November 14, 2001, he became the 15th President of Bangladesh.
Before taking office, he resigned from all his positions and responsibilities within the BNP.
Political historian Mahiuddin Ahmed describes Chowdhury’s entry into politics as dramatic, while his exit from the BNP was "tragic."
Still, analysts believe that Badruddoza Chowdhury will be remembered as a distinctive figure in Bangladesh’s political scene.
His resignation from the presidency is considered one of the most dramatic exits in the country's history.
On June 21, 2002, after serving only seven months and seven days as president, B Chowdhury resigned amid mounting pressure from the BNP.
Before his resignation, BNP MPs demanded that he step down, threatening to impeach him if he refused to do so.
New party
Following his resignation, he formed a new political party, Bikolpodhara Bangladesh (BDB).
BDB played a role in forming alliances with larger parties during national elections.
In 2006, under B Chowdhury’s leadership, Bikolpodhara joined an electoral alliance with the Awami League, though this partnership did not last.
Most recently, in the 2018 national elections in which the BNP participated, Chowdhury and his party opted to not join the BNP-led Jatiya Oikya Front, headed by Dr Kamal Hossain.
Personal life
Throughout his life, Badruddoza Chowdhury remained committed to both his political ideals and his professional roots.
Even in his later years, he continued to see patients at his private clinic, reflecting a deep personal dedication to medicine.
His contributions to the health sector were further acknowledged with the Independence Award in 1993, Bangladesh’s highest civilian honor.
On the personal front, Badruddoza Chowdhury was married to Hasina Wardah Chowdhury, with whom he had three children—Mahi B Chowdhury, a politician, Barrister Muna Chowdhury, a lawyer, and Dr Shayla Sharmin Chowdhury, a physician.
Known for his wit, humor, and ability to enliven social gatherings, he was a beloved figure not just in the political arena but also among family and friends. Music, particularly Rabindrasangeet, was a passion for him.
