Arfanul Haque Rifat

Arfanul Haque Rifat
আরফানুল হক রিফাত
Rifat in 2022
2nd Mayor of Cumilla
In office
16 June 2022 – 13 December 2023
Preceded byMonirul Haque Sakku
Succeeded byDr. Tahseen Bahar Shuchona
Personal details
Born1957/1958
Comilla, East Pakistan, Pakistan
Died13 December 2023(2023-12-13) (aged 65)
Singapore
NationalityBangladeshi
Political partyBangladesh Awami League
Alma materComilla Victoria Government College
OccupationPolitician

Arfanul Haque Rifat (1957/1958 – 13 December 2023) was a Bangladeshi Awami League politician who was the 2nd mayor of Comilla City Corporation.[1] Rifat served as the general secretary of Comilla city unit Awami League from 2017 until his death.[2]

Career

Rifat joined the Chhatra League in 1976 and became president of its Comilla city unit after two years. He also served as a senior vice-president of the district unit of Jubo League.[3] He served as District Football Association president since 2010.[4] In 2022 Cumilla City Corporation election, Rifat defeated his closest rival former BNP leader Monirul Haque Sakku by a margin of only 343 votes. He took oath on 5 June 2022 by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as 2nd Mayor of Cumilla City Corporation (CUSIC).[5]

Controversies

Rifat was listed number one patron of drug dealers and smugglers in Cumilla according to a government agency which was listed by the prime minister's office in 2018, according to The Daily Star, Vorer Kagoj, Prothom Alo and other credible media.[6][7] Though, the leaders of Awami League denied the allegations.[8]

Death

Rifat died in Mount Elizabeth Hospital, Singapore on 13 December 2023, at the age of 65.[9][10]

References

  1. ^ "Arfanul Haque Rifat wins Cumilla city polls". The Financial Express. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
  2. ^ "AL picks Rifat for CCC polls". Risingbd.com. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
  3. ^ Bay, Badiuzzaman (20 May 2022). "Cumilla polls, a litmus test for EC, and the shadow of drugs". The Daily Star (Opinion). Retrieved 16 June 2022.
  4. ^ "Bangabandhu 9th Bangladesh Games Football inaugurated in Cumilla". Daily Bangladesh. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
  5. ^ "Rifat sworn in as Comilla city mayor". www.dhakatribune.com. 5 July 2022. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
  6. ^ Hasan, Rashidul; Nazrul, Khalid Bin (16 May 2022). "Cumilla polls nomination: AL picks No. 1 patron of narcos". The Daily Star. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  7. ^ "'Intel report implicating Rifat in drug smuggling was motivated'". Dhaka Tribune. 24 May 2022. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  8. ^ "'Allegations against Rifat baseless'". Daily Sun. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  9. ^ "Cumilla City Mayor Rifat passes away". The Business Standard. 13 December 2023. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  10. ^ "Comilla Mayor Rifat passes away".