The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Veteran politician and Awami League acting president Zillur Rahman steps into 80.

On March 9, 1929 he was born in Brahmanbaria. In 1952 Zillur was suspended from Dhaka University for the time being for joining the Language Movement and his Masters degree was snatched away at the instruction of the then government.

In 1953 he was elected unopposed Vice-President of Fazlul Huq Hall Students Union. In the same year, he became the founding president of Kishoreganj Subdivision Awami Muslim League and Vice-president of greater Mymensingh District.

In 1954 he was elected president of Awami Swecchasebak Bahini.

In his long political career, Zillur joined all democratic and progressive movements and had to face imprisonments time and again.

Zillur who is a lawyer by profession was elected general secretary of Dhaka Bar Association.

In 1970 he was elected Member of National Assembly of Pakistan and played significant role during the Liberation War in 1971. He was elected several times to national parliament.

After independence, Zillur was elected general secretary of Bangladesh Awami League. He was elected the first Secretary of Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Awami League (BKSAL).

Zillur served as LGRD Minister for five years from 1996-2001.