Mahi B. Chowdhury

Mahi B Chowdhury
মাহি বি চৌধুরী
Chowdhury in 2018
Member of Parliament
In office
29 January 2019 – 7 January 2024
Preceded bySukumar Ranjan Ghosh
ConstituencyMunshiganj-1
In office
2002 – 27 October 2006
Preceded byA. Q. M. Badruddoza Chowdhury
Succeeded bySukumar Ranjan Ghosh
ConstituencyMunshiganj-1
Personal details
Born (1970-03-13) 13 March 1970 (age 54)
Political partyBikalpa Dhara Bangladesh
Other political
affiliations		Bangladesh Nationalist Party (2001–2004)
SpouseAshfa Haque Lopa
Parent
  • A. Q. M. Badruddoza Chowdhury (father)
RelativesKafiluddin Chowdhury (grandfather)
EducationPolitical science
Alma materSanta Clara University

Mahi Badruddoza Chowdhury (born 13 March 1970)[1] is a Bangladeshi politician and former Jatiya Sangsad member representing the Munshiganj-1 constituency. He is currently the joint secretary general of the party Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh (BDB).[2] He is the son of former President A. Q. M. Badruddoza Chowdhury.[3]

Background

Chowdhury is the son of former President of Bangladesh A. Q. M. Badruddoza Chowdhury and former First Lady Hasina Warda Chowdhury. He has two sisters, Muna and Shaila.[4]

Chowdhury completed his bachelor's degree in political science from Santa Clara University in California, United States.[5]

Career

Chowdhury first joined the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in August 1992.[6] He was first elected to the parliament in the 2002 by-election from Munshiganj-1 constituency when the seat became vacant after his father, A. Q. M. Badruddoza Chowdhury, became president of Bangladesh.[3]

On 21 June 2002, Chowdhury's father resigned from the presidency after facing the possibility of impeachment and removal from office by the BNP-led parliament. Subsequently, Chowdhury resigned from BNP on 10 March 2004 and joined the Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh (BDB) – a political party founded by his father.[7] This resignation left a void in the Munshiganj-1 constituency and a by-election was held on 6 June 2004.[3] Chowdhury competed as a member of the BDB party from the same constituency and won the election defeating the BNP candidate Momin Ali.[5][8]

In November 2003, state-owned Bangladesh Television (BTV) suspended transmission of two programmes, a talk-show Ananda Ghanta and a drama-play Uttaradhikar, from the production company Entertainment Republic, owned by Chowdhury.[9]

In 2007, Chowdhury was briefly involved with the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).[10][11]

In June 2012, Chowdhury expressed favorable views of Khaleda Zia, the leader of his previous party, BNP, by saying "Khaleda Zia is the symbol of unity and strength. She always led from the front whenever the country was in a crisis and the people were in distress. Now, she is leading the people's movement pressing for a neutral and non-partisan government."[12]

In April 2015, Chowdhury contested for the mayoral election of Dhaka North City Corporation and finished third with 12,809 votes, compared to Bangladesh Awami League candidate Annisul Huq's 460,117 and BNP candidate Tabith Awal's 325,080 votes.[13][14][15][16]

In August 2019, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) interrogated Chowdhury on allegations of money laundering and accumulation of illegal wealth.[17] Chowdhury denied any wrongdoing.[18]

Personal life

Chowdhury is married to Ashfa Haque Lopa.[19][20] Together they have a son, Araz B Chowdhury, and daughter Scherezade Chowdhury.[21]

References

  1. ^ "Constituency 171_11th_En". Bangladesh Parliament.
  2. ^ "Youths don't want politics of violence". The Daily Star. 3 September 2018. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
  3. ^ a b c "Munshiganj-1 polls tomorrow: Weary voters ready for third time". The Daily Star. 5 June 2004. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
  4. ^ "Khaleda visits ailing B Chowdhury". bdnews24.com. 18 February 2014.
  5. ^ a b "BNP Loses By-Election". Arab News. 8 June 2004. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
  6. ^ "Former president launches alternative platform at rally in Muktangon today". The Daily Star. 11 March 2004. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
  7. ^ "B'Chy launches political party Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh to 'unite nation'". The Daily Star. 9 May 2004. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  8. ^ "Mahi sweeps back to parliament". The Daily Star. 7 June 2004. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
  9. ^ "Mahi decries BTV attitude". The Daily Star. 21 November 2003. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
  10. ^ "Mahi, Khokon for election without symbols". The Daily Star. 30 June 2007. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
  11. ^ "It's formal now, LDP splits". bdnews24.com. 21 July 2007. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
  12. ^ "Bikalpadhara joins forces with BNP". bdnews24.com. 11 June 2012. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
  13. ^ "Mahi to vie for DNCC mayor post". The Daily Star. 26 March 2015. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
  14. ^ "AL-backed Annisul Huq voted the mayor of Dhaka North". The Daily Ittefaq. 29 April 2015. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
  15. ^ "A 'new generation city'". The Daily Star. 24 April 2015. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
  16. ^ "Annisul Huq ahead in Dhaka North". bdnews24.com. 28 April 2015. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
  17. ^ "ACC questions Mahi B Chowdhury over money laundering allegations". Dhaka Tribune. 25 August 2019. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  18. ^ "ACC asks Bikalpadhara lawmaker Mahi, wife to submit wealth statements". New Age. 13 October 2020.
  19. ^ "Khaleda visits ailing B Chowdhury". bdnews24.com. 18 February 2014. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
  20. ^ "ACC summons Mahi B Chowdhury, his wife". Barta24. 4 August 2019. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  21. ^ "Mahi B Chowdhury's son allegedly beats traffic police". Daily Sun. December 2019. Retrieved 6 August 2023.