Veteran politician Obaidul Quader’s career spans five decades and more. Starting out as a student leader, Quader took part in the Liberation War, went to jail for his political ideals, and eventually became second in command in the Bangladesh Awami League.
Born on January 1, 1952 at Bara Rajapur village in Companiganj, Noakhali, Quader obtained a degree in political science from Dhaka University. During his student life, he became involved in politics, playing an active role in the Six-Point Movement in 1966 as well as the Mass Upsurge and11-Point Movement in 1969.
During the Liberation War in 1971, Quader was a commander of Companiganj upazila Mujib Forces.
He was imprisoned during several stages of his action-packed political life. After the assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975, Quader was imprisoned for an uninterrupted two and a half years. While in prison, he was elected president of the central committee of the Bangladesh Chhatra League. He served two consecutive terms in the position.
In the 1990s, Quader became part of mainstream Awami League politics. He has been elected a lawmaker for the party four times. He has served as a minister for three terms, including the current one.
Quader was appointed general secretary of the Bangladesh Awami League in October 2016. He is currently a member of the Standing Committee and the Parliamentary Board of the Awami League.
An acclaimed career in politics
Obaidul Quader first took part in the 1996 general elections on an Awami League ticket, and was elected member of parliament (MP) from Noakhali 5 constituency. He served as state minister for youth, sports and cultural affairs during that term.
In 2002, he became the first senior joint general secretary of the Awami League, and served in the position till 2009.
He was seriously wounded in the grisly grenade attack on an Awami League rally in Dhaka on August 21, 2004.
During the period of the army-led caretaker government in 2007-08, Quader was arrested in March 2007 and remained in prison till he was released on bail in September 2008.
He retained his seat as Noakhali 5 lawmaker by winning at the general elections of 2008, 2014 and 2018.
He was appointed communications minister in 2011. The Ministry of Communications was later rebranded as the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, and Quader has continued to serve as its minister.
A dedicated political leader, Quader gained in popularity for his random visits to the agencies under his ministry, as well as inspecting projects undertaken by the ministry, in order to keep tabs on how the offices are run. He is also reputed for prompt action against officials in his ministry found derelict in carrying out their duties.
Because of his insistence on discipline, Quader has become known as “Fatakeshto” on social media, after the leading man in a West Bengal film known for firmly doing his job.
Writer and journalist
Quader has been a journalist and writer as well. Before becoming fully involved in politics, he worked as assistant editor of the Daily Banglar Bani for a long time. He used to write columns for different publications.
He has authored several books since 1976, including “Bangladesh: A Revolution Betrayed;” “Bangladesher Hridoy Hote;” “Pakistaner Karagare Bangabandhu;” “Ei Bijoyer Mukut Kothai;” “Teen Somudrer Deshe;” “Meghe Meghe Onek Bela;” “Rochona Somogro;” “Karagare Lekha Onusmriti: Je Kotha Bola Hoyni” and “Nirbachito Column.”
In September 2018, the muhurat (launch ceremony) of a film based on his novel “Ganchill” was held. The novel revolves around the lives of people in the coastal belt of Cox's Bazar, where he spent a week after his release from jail.
