Overview
Sadeque Hossain Khoka (12 May 1952 – 4 November 2019) was a prominent Bangladeshi politician known for his role in urban governance and party leadership. He served as the mayor of Dhaka City Corporation from 2002 until 2011 and was a long-standing leader within the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. Born in Dhaka, he became a recognizable public figure in national and municipal politics.
Political career and roles
Khoka rose through local and national party ranks to become president of the undivided Dhaka city unit of his party and later one of its vice chairmen. His tenure in elected office combined party responsibilities with the practical management of city services and municipal affairs. As mayor, he oversaw administrative functions for Dhaka’s municipal corporation during a period of rapid urban growth and infrastructure pressure.
Mayoral tenure
Serving from 2002 to 2011, Khoka led the Dhaka City Corporation through multiple terms. Responsibilities typically associated with the office included urban planning coordination, sanitation and public works oversight, and civic service delivery to a growing capital population. His time in office coincided with debates about decentralization and changes to the city’s municipal structure.
Later life and death
After leaving the mayoral office Khoka remained active in politics and public life. He was widely regarded as a senior figure in Dhaka’s political scene and within his party’s city organization. Khoka died on 4 November 2019 in Manhattan; reports identified his illness as kidney cancer, and medical care outside Bangladesh was noted in coverage of his final days in Manhattan.
Notable facts and legacy
- Born in the capital city of Dhaka on 12 May 1952.
- Served as mayor of the undivided Dhaka City Corporation from 2002–2011.
- Held senior party office, including vice chairmanship of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party.
Khoka’s career illustrates the close link between national party politics and municipal administration in Bangladesh’s capital. He is remembered for his role in leading Dhaka’s city corporation during a period of intense urban challenges and political activity.