Begum Rosy Kabir, adviser to the BNP chairperson and former Member of Parliament, passed away while undergoing treatment at Dhaka’s Evercare Hospital at 5am on Wednesday. She was 73.
She had been suffering from liver-related complications for an extended period.
She is survived by two sons and two daughters.
Chittagong Metropolitan BNP leader Idris Ali said that her funeral prayer will be arranged after her body is brought to Chittagong from Dhaka.
Begum Rosy Kabir served as the president of the BNP’s Chittagong Women’s City Committee, senior vice-president of Chittagong Metropolitan BNP, and held various secretary positions within the BNP’s central committee, including as a special assistant to the BNP chairperson.
Her political journey began under the mentorship of her elder brother, former deputy speaker and Planning Minister Barrister Sultan Ahmed.
She accompanied former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia on state visits to Thailand, China, India, Sri Lanka, Denmark, the United States, and the United Kingdom, and represented Bangladesh at important forums such as the UN General Assembly, Bimstec, and Saarc.
Begum Rosy Kabir was born into the renowned Azgar Ali Chowdhury zamindar family of North Halishahar, Chittagong.
Mayor of Chittagong City Corporation expresses condolences
Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) Mayor and former president of Chittagong Metropolitan BNP Dr Shahadat Hossain expressed profound grief over Begum Rosy Kabir's passing.
In a message of condolence, he said: “The news of Begum Rosy Kabir’s passing has deeply saddened me. She was an honest, devoted, and selfless leader in BNP politics. Since the establishment of the BNP, she played a key role in organizing the party in Chittagong.
"As a Member of Parliament, she contributed significantly to Chittagong’s development and played a crucial role in the anti-Ershad movement, leading the struggle for democracy and voting rights with courage. She will be remembered as a party-dedicated leader in Chittagong’s BNP politics,” she added.
The mayor prayed for her departed soul and extended heartfelt condolences to her grieving family and relatives.
