Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh's first female prime minister and leader of the BNP, died at age 80 after a long illness, ending the era of a decades-long political rivalry with former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, while her son prepares to continue leading the party into next year's general election.
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) announced on Facebook today (30 Dec) that Khaleda Zia, the influential former prime minister, peacefully passed away at 06:00 at a hospital in Dhaka at age 80, after battling multiple chronic illnesses for a long time.
Doctors revealed that Zia's condition became critical since Monday, requiring a ventilator to support her breathing. However, due to her deteriorating health from kidney disease, heart problems, pneumonia, and advanced age, medical treatment options were limited. Family members, including her son Tarique Rahman who recently returned from exile abroad, were present for her final moments.
Khaleda Zia entered the political spotlight as the wife of former President Ziaur Rahman. After her husband's assassination in a 1981 coup, she fully embarked on a political career and became the BNP leader.
Her greatest achievement came in 1991, when she made history as Bangladesh’s first female prime minister after leading her party to victory in the first democratic election in 20 years. She served again as prime minister from 2001 to 2006.
Zia’s political life was marked by turmoil, especially a fierce decades-long rivalry with Sheikh Hasina, leader of the Awami League, with the two parties alternating power and opposition roles. In 2018, Zia was convicted on corruption charges under Hasina’s government, charges she always claimed were politically motivated.
She regained her freedom last year following large anti-government protests that forced Hasina into exile. Despite poor health, BNP announced that Zia planned to contest the general election scheduled for February next year, the first election after the coup.
Zia’s death occurs at a crucial time as BNP prepares to return to power. It is expected that her 60-year-old son, Tarique Rahman, who returned to Bangladesh last week after 17 years in exile in London, will become the country's new leader if the party wins the election.
Acting Prime Minister Muhammad Yunus expressed condolences and praised Khaleda Zia as "a great inspiration to the nation," urging Bangladeshis to join in prayers for her soul to rest in peace.
/sourceBBC