Dhaka: Veteran Awami League leader Suranjit Sengupta died at Labaid Hospital in the city early Sunday. He was 71.

He was a Member of Parliament (Awami League) in the Jatiyo Sangshad, as well as the Chairman of Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee.

Early life

Suranjit was born on May 5, 1945 (according to Bangladesh Parliament website) at Anwarpur village under Derai Upazila of Sunamganj.

He completed his MA from Dhaka University. He also received LLB degree from Central Law College.

Freedom Fighter

He was a Freedom Fighter who actively took part in the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. He participated in the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971.

Political career

Suranjit started his political career with leftist parties. In 1970's National Election of Pakistan, he was elected from the Sylhet District as a candidate of the National Awami Party (NAP) in the Provincial Assembly.

In the first constituent assembly of Bangladesh, he was a vocal member of the Opposition Bench. Later, he floated and led the Ekota Party.

 In the early 1990s, he joined Awami League. Sengupta is a Member of Parliament (Awami League) in the Jatiyo Sangshad, as well as the Chairman of Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee.

Railway Minister

The Awami League-led government appointed Suranjit as Railway Minister, but after a bribery scandal became known, leaders from both the Bangladesh Workers Party and the Awami League called for him to resign. Later, he resigned in 2012 after 5 months of his appointment as Railway Minister of the Bangladesh.

Railway gate scandal

Suranjit took over as Railway Minister and resigned after 5 months on an allegation of bribery. He was accused of direct involvement in corruption 100 million Taka. On 9 April 2012 his assistant personal secretary, general manager of the eastern region, and commandant of security were driving to Suranjit's residence with 7.4 million Taka of bribe money when the driver Azam Khan turned them in. On 17 April 2012, Suranjit Sengupta was appointed minister without portfolio one day after submitting his resignation as Railways Minister and after being accused of bribery.