Abdul Mannan Talukder, a former four-time Member of Parliament from Sirajganj-3 and adviser to the BNP chairperson, passed away on Friday morning (July 18) at his residence in Dhanmondi, Dhaka, due to old age complications. 

He was 89.

The matter was confirmed by BNP central executive committee member and Sirajganj district BNP general secretary Saidur Rahman Bacchu. 

“Our guardian Abdul Mannan Talukder died at 11am today. Details of his funeral and burial will be announced later,” he said.

Mannan Talukder is survived by his wife, three sons, five daughters, several grandchildren, and a wide circle of admirers.

Born on March 2, 1936, in Dhubil village of Sirajganj, he came from a prominent Muslim zamindar family. His father, Fazlar Rahman Talukder, was a descendant of Munshi Abdur Rahman Talukder, founder of the Katar Mahal pargana during British India.

Mannan began his political journey as a student of Sirajganj Government College in 1954. He was also engaged in the contracting business from 1957, earning a reputation for integrity in the field.

He was first elected to Parliament from Sirajganj-3 (Rayganj-Tarash-Salanga) as a BNP candidate in the 1991 general elections and went on to win three more consecutive terms. From 2001 to 2006, he served as chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives. He also held key organisational roles in the BNP, including as president and convener of the Sirajganj district unit.

News of his death cast a pall of mourning across his constituency. Rayganj upazila BNP has announced a three-day mourning programme in his honour, confirmed former upazila BNP member-secretary VP Ainul Haque.

Senior BNP leaders, including standing committee member Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, district BNP president Rumana Mahmud, and other local leaders have expressed deep sorrow and extended condolences to his bereaved family.

MSK/