A. Q. M. Badruddoza Chowdhury facts for kids

Quick facts for kids AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury
একিউএম বদরুদ্দোজা চৌধুরী
Chowdhury in 1993
12th President of Bangladesh
In office 14 November 2001 – 21 June 2002
Prime Minister	Khaleda Zia
Preceded by	Shahabuddin Ahmed
Succeeded by	Muhammad Jamiruddin Sircar (acting)
Minister of Foreign Affairs
In office 10 October 2001 – 14 November 2001
Prime Minister	Khaleda Zia
Preceded by	Latifur Rahman
Succeeded by	Morshed Khan
Deputy Prime Minister of Bangladesh
In office 15 April 1979 – 23 August 1979
President	Ziaur Rahman
Prime Minister	Shah Azizur Rahman
Preceded by	Position created
Succeeded by	Jamal Uddin Ahmad
1st General Secretary of Bangladesh Nationalist Party
In office 1979–1981
Chairman	Ziaur Rahman
Preceded by	Position established
Succeeded by	Nurul Islam Shishu
Personal details
Born	(1930-10-11)11 October 1930 Comilla, Bengal Presidency, British India
Died	5 October 2024(2024-10-05) (aged 93) Dhaka, Bangladesh
Political party	Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh (2004–2024)
Other political affiliations	Bangladesh Nationalist Party (1978–2002) Four Party Alliance (2001–2003)
Spouse	Hasina Warda Chowdhury
Children	Mahi B. Chowdhury
Parent	Kafiluddin Chowdhury (father)
Alma mater	Dhaka College Dhaka Medical College
Awards	Independence Day Award

Abul Qasim Mohammad Badruddoza Chowdhury (born October 11, 1930 – died October 5, 2024) was a well-known politician from Bangladesh. People often called him AQM Badrudozza Chowdhury. He served as the 12th President of Bangladesh from November 2001 to June 2002. He was also one of the people who helped start the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

Besides being a politician, Mr. Chowdhury was also a doctor. He was very active in culture, wrote books and essays, and even hosted TV shows. He was known for being a great speaker. In 1976, he received the National Television Award for his work.

Early Life and Education

Badruddoza Chowdhury was born on October 11, 1930, in Comilla. His family home was in a place called Majidpur Dayhata in Munshiganj District. His father, Kafiluddin Chowdhury, was also a politician. He was a minister in the government of East Pakistan and a leader of the Awami League party.

Badruddoza went to St Gregory's School and finished his high school studies in 1947. He then went to Dhaka College and completed his higher secondary education in 1949. Later, he studied medicine at Dhaka Medical College, earning his medical degree in 1954–1955.

Medical Career

Before entering politics, Mr. Chowdhury worked as a doctor. He taught medicine at Rajshahi Medical College in 1964. He also taught at Sir Salimullah Medical College from 1964 to 1970. In 1970, he became a professor of medicine at Sylhet Medical College.

He was also involved in health organizations. He led the National Anti-Tuberculosis Association of Bangladesh (NATAB). He also served as the head of the Asia Pacific Zone for the International Union Against Tuberculosis of Lung Diseases (IUATLD).

Political Journey

Badruddoza Chowdhury became interested in politics because of Ziaur Rahman. Mr. Rahman was the founder of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Chowdhury joined the BNP and became its first secretary-general.

In 1979, he won an election to become a member of parliament from Munshiganj. He then served as a cabinet minister from 1979 to 1982. When the BNP won the elections again in 1991, he first served as the Minister for Education and Cultural Affairs. After that, he became the Deputy Leader of the Parliament in Bangladesh.

Becoming President

In 2001, when the BNP came to power, Mr. Chowdhury was made the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh. Just a month later, in November 2001, he was chosen by the parliament members to be the President of Bangladesh.

However, his time as president was short. About seven months later, some members of his party were upset. This happened because he decided not to visit the grave of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman on his death anniversary. They felt he was not being loyal to the party. In June 2002, Mr. Chowdhury resigned from his position as president.

Forming a New Party: Bikalpa Dhara

After leaving the presidency, Mr. Chowdhury believed Bangladesh needed a new political option. He thought there should be a "third force" in the country's politics. This new group would fight against corruption and terrorism. It would also work to improve how the country was governed. He called this idea an "alternate stream," which in Bengali is Bikalpa Dhara.

He, along with his son Mahi B. Chowdhury and another BNP member, left the BNP. They started a new political party called Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh in March 2004. Mr. Chowdhury became the president of this new party. The party often spoke out against the government at that time.

For a short time, Mr. Chowdhury joined another party called the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). But he soon decided to leave the LDP. He then focused on making Bikalpa Dhara stronger again. He has been the president of Bikalpa Dhara since it started, except for a short period between 2008 and 2009. He had resigned then because the party did not win any seats in the 2008 elections.

Family and Passing

Badruddoza Chowdhury was married to Hasina Warda Chowdhury. They had three children: a son named Mahi B. Chowdhury, and two daughters, Muna and Shaila.

Mr. Chowdhury passed away on October 5, 2024, at the age of 93. He died from a lung infection at the Medical College for Women and Hospital in Dhaka.