Fugitive Awami League Leader Obaidul Quader on Ventilation

Obaidul Quader, general secretary of activities-banned Awami League (AL), has been placed on life support at a Kolkata Hospital after fell critically sick.

According to sources, Quader, who fled to India after the fall of AL government amid July uprising, is currently on a ventilator at a private hospital in the Indian city.

In an interview with BBC Bangla in June, Quader said he still considered himself the general secretary of Awami League despite the party’s activities being banned.

He also confirmed at the time that he was staying in Kolkata.

He said that after the July mass uprising, which led to the collapse of AL rule, he remained in hiding for about three months, frequently changing residences, before finally leaving the country in November 2024.

Asked about apologising for AL’s crackdown during the uprising, Quader said the issues of apology, admitting mistakes or expressing remorse would be considered once the party is able to return to the country and resume political activities.

Obaidul Quader has served as the Awami League’s general secretary since October 2016. He was in charge of the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges from December 2011 until August 2024.