Oli Ahmad

"Oli Ahmed" redirects here. For another politician, see Oli Ahmed (Comilla politician).

Colonel Oli Ahmad (born 13 March 1939)^[1] is a Bangladeshi politician. He is a former minister and a member of Jatiya Sangsad. He is a former Bangladesh Army officer. He is a former Bangladesh Nationalist Party politician and currently president of the Liberal Democratic Party of Bangladesh.^[2]

Colonel Oli Ahmad BB
অলি আহমদ
Ahmad in 2004
President of Liberal Democratic Party
Incumbent
Assumed office 26 October 2006
Minister of State for Telecommunication
In office 14 February 2014 – 5 June 2014
Prime Minister	Sheikh Hasina
Member of the Bangladesh Parliament for Chittagong-13
In office 28 February 1991 – 5 December 2014
Preceded by	Afsar Uddin Ahmed
Succeeded by	Saifuzzaman Chowdhury
Member of the Bangladesh Parliament for Chittagong-14
In office 10 June 1996 – 25 December 2001
Preceded by	Shajahan Chowdhury
Succeeded by	Shajahan Chowdhury
Minister of State for of Power
In office 6 January 2000 – 4 March 2002
Prime Minister	Khaleda Zia
Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries
In office 16 June 2002 – 23 June 2004
Minister of State for Water Resource
In office 30 June 2004 – 20 October 2006
Minister of Youth Development
In office 30 June 2004 – 20 October 2006
Personal details
Born	(1939-03-13) 13 March 1939 (age 86) Chittagong, Bengal, British India
Political party	Bangladesh Nationalist Party (1988–2006) Liberal Democratic Party (2006–present)
Spouse	Mumtaza Begum
Children	4
Awards	Bir Bikrom
Military service
Allegiance	Pakistan (Before 1971)  Bangladesh
Branch/service	Pakistan Army  Bangladesh Army
Years of service	1965-1980
Rank	Colonel
Unit	East Bengal Regiment
Commands	Sub-Commander of Sector - I BM of Z Force CO of 24th East Bengal Regiment
Battles/wars	Bangladesh Liberation War

Military career

Pakistan Army

He was commissioned in Pakistan Army in 1965.He was posted to 4th East Bengal Regiment in 1967.On 24 September 1970 he was posted to 8th East Bengal Regiment.

Liberation War of Bangladesh

Ahmad was the first Bengali Military officer to revolt against the Pakistani army on 25 March 1971 before the start of the Bangladesh Liberation War. He was the first officer to be awarded the Bir Bikrom for his bravery during that war. He fought under Major Ziaur Rahman in Sector No. 1.^[2]

Bangladesh Army

After the independence of Bangladesh, he was promoted to the rank of Major in October 1972. Later, he served as the 2nd-in-Command of 19,9,10 and 6 East Bengal Regiment. In September 1975, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and was appointed as the commanding officer of 24 East Bengal Regiment in Saidpur. In November 1975, he was posted to Army Headquarters as General Staff Officer-1 (Operations).Later, he served in the office of Army Chief,DCMLA,CMLA and the President of Bangladesh. In January 1980, he was promoted to the rank of Colonel. On 10 January 1980, he resigned from the Army.^[2]

Political career

Ahmad is highly regarded as one of the key founding members of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). On 26 October 2006, Ahmad and several other senior leaders of the BNP defected to form the Liberal Democratic Party.^[3][4] At present he is serving as the president of Liberal Democratic Party.^[5] While performing as Chief Coordinator for 20 Party Alliance, Ahmad launched a new movement called "Jatiya Mukti Mancha" on 27 June 2019.^[6][7]

Elections

General Election	Parliamentary Seat	Vote	Percentage of total vote	Political Party	Result
2008	Chittagong-13	82,036	45.8	Liberal Democratic Party	Won
	Chittagong-14	63,412	26.9		2nd
2001	Chittagong-13	70,016	53.8	Bangladesh Nationalist Party	Won
	Chittagong-14	64,184	29.1		2nd
1996	Chittagong-13	62,323	61.8		Won
	Chittagong-14	75,855	48.2		Won
1991	Chittagong-13	52,072	59.5		Won

In 1996, there was 2 election (6th & 7th Parliament), Dr. Oli Ahmad was elected MP both times.^[8][9] He was first elected from Chandanaish, in March 1980 by-election & was in the 2nd Parliament.^[10]

Bangladesh Football Federation

Ahmad served as the president of the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) from 1992 until he resigned in late 1994.^[11][12][13]

Publications

Books published by Oli Ahmad include:

• Revolution, Military Personnel and the War of Liberation in Bangladesh. Dhaka: Dizzy Publications, 2004.
• Battles That I Fought and Interviews of Liberation War Heroes. Dhaka: Annesha Prokashon, 2009.