The former Member of National Assembly (MNA) and Member of Parliament (MP) ANM Nazrul Islam died of old age complications at his Humayun Road residence in Dhaka this morning. He was 80.

"Nazrul Islam was the last living MNA among the 167 elected in 1970's general election but he died today, on a day when AL is celebrating its 71 founding anniversary," said Prof Md Abdur Razzaq, a freedom fighter and senior vice-president of Awami League's Phulbaria upazila unit.

He left behind his wife, a son and a host of relatives and admirers to mourn his death. He had been suffering from lung cancer along with other old age complications, family sources said.

He was buried at his family graveyard at Langolshimul village in Phulbaria upazila of Mymensingh. His namaj-e-janaza was held after asr prayer with state honours.  District level leaders of AL attended the funeral.

Nazrul Islam did his masters in Bengali literature from Dhaka University and later worked as teacher at Govt Ananda Mahan College and Chittagong University. He also went to United Kingdom for higher degrees but returned home and took part in general election in 1970 as an AL candidate and was elected as MNA from Trishal and Phulbaria area.

Later he was elected as MP from Phulbaria (Mymensingh-6) constituency in 1973.

Nazrul Islam, a veteran politician and social worker, established several educational institutions in the locality including Phulbaria Degree College, a reputed institution in the district.

Well known as 'gentleman politician' for his clean image and good soul, Nazrul Islam was respected by leaders of other political parties in and outside the district, said local leaders.