Preparations underway in Bhola for burial of veteran politician Tofail Ahmed

Preparations are underway in Bhola for the burial of veteran politician, Liberation War organizer, former industries and commerce minister, and nine-time lawmaker Tofail Ahmed, who will be laid to rest in his hometown on Tuesday.

Since early morning, arrangements have been ongoing at the family graveyard in Koralia village under South Dighaldi Union of Bhola Sadar Upazila, where he will be buried beside his parents.

Residents from different walks of life began gathering in the village, which holds many memories of Tofail Ahmed's childhood and youth, to pay their final respects. Many were seen overcome with emotion as they prepared to bid farewell to the veteran leader.

According to family and party sources, Tofail Ahmed's body is scheduled to be flown to Bhola by helicopter this afternoon. A second funeral prayer will be held at 2pm after Zuhr prayers at the Bhola Government High School ground. His first funeral prayer was held at Takwa Mosque in Dhaka on Monday evening.

Following the second funeral prayer, the body will be taken to Koralia village. A third funeral prayer will be held at a local mosque before he is laid to rest at the family graveyard.

Local residents said Ahmed was more than a politician; he symbolized the hopes and aspirations of the people of Bhola. They described his death as an irreplaceable loss for the district's political and social spheres.

Born on October 22, 1943, in Koralia village of Bhola, Ahmed became involved in politics during his student years. He gained national prominence through his role in the 1969 mass uprising and later emerged as a close associate of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, playing a significant role in Bangladesh's independence movement and political history.

In the 1970 election, Ahmed was elected to Pakistan's National Assembly from the Daulatkhan-Tazumuddin-Manpura constituency at the age of 27. Throughout his long political career, he served in several ministerial positions and most recently was a member of the advisory council of Bangladesh Awami League.