Dhaka: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday said veteran Awami League leader Suranjit Sengupta who passed away at a city hospital was a man of great soul.

“A sincere and experienced leader like him (Suranjit) is rare. I had a personal relation with him for a long time. I knew him as a man of great soul,” he said.

The BNP leader came up with the remarks while talking to reporters after paying last respect to Suranjit at Dhakeshwari temple.

Fakhrul also recalled Surnjit’s role in formulation of the country’s constitution and consolidating democracy by providing his thoughts and suggestions during the country’s political crisis.

“A vacuum has been created in the country’s parliamentary politics through his demise. “I’m deeply shocked at his demise,” the BNP secretary general said.

“We, on behalf of BNP and our chairperson, express deep shock at his death and pray for the eternal peace of his departed soul.

Former ministers and season politician Suranjit Sengupta died at Labaid Hospital in capital Dhaka early Sunday at the age of 71.

Born on May 5, 1946 at Anwarpur village in Dirai upazila of Sunamganj district, Suranjit was elected Member of Parliament for eight times during the post-liberation period and also a member of 34-member Constitution Drafting Committee.