Arfanul Haque Rifat Explained

Arfanul Haque Rifat
Native Name Lang:bn
Office:2nd Mayor of Cumilla
Term Start:16 June 2022
Term End:13 December 2023
Nationality:Bangladeshi
Predecessor:Monirul Haque Sakku
Successor:Dr. Tahseen Bahar Shuchona
Occupation:Politician
Party:Bangladesh Awami League
Alma Mater:Comilla Victoria Government College
Birth Date:1957/1958
Birth Place:Comilla, East Pakistan, Pakistan
Death Place:Singapore

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]

Notes and References

  1. News: Arfanul Haque Rifat wins Cumilla city polls . . 2022-06-16.
  2. News: AL picks Rifat for CCC polls . 2022-06-16 . Risingbd.com . en.
  3. News: Bay . Badiuzzaman . 2022-05-20 . Cumilla polls, a litmus test for EC, and the shadow of drugs . 2022-06-16 . The Daily Star . Opinion . en.
  4. Web site: Bangabandhu 9th Bangladesh Games Football inaugurated in Cumilla . 2022-06-16 . Daily Bangladesh . en.
  5. Web site: 2022-07-05 . Rifat sworn in as Comilla city mayor . 2022-07-11 . www.dhakatribune.com . en.
  6. News: Hasan . Rashidul . Nazrul . Khalid Bin . 2022-05-16 . Cumilla polls nomination: AL picks No. 1 patron of narcos . 2022-06-18 . The Daily Star . en.
  7. News: 2022-05-24 . 'Intel report implicating Rifat in drug smuggling was motivated' . 2022-06-18 . Dhaka Tribune . en.
  8. News: 'Allegations against Rifat baseless' . 2022-06-18 . Daily Sun . en.
  9. Web site: 2023-12-13 . Cumilla City Mayor Rifat passes away . 2023-12-13 . The Business Standard . en.
  10. Web site: Comilla Mayor Rifat passes away .