Dhaka – Bangladesh’s political landscape has been shaken by the news that Khaleda Zia dies at the age of 80 after battling multiple health complications. The former prime minister and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader passed away on Tuesday morning at approximately 6:00 am, shortly after Fajr prayer, marking the end of an era in the country’s political history.
According to the official announcement made on the BNP’s Facebook page, Khaleda Zia dies following a prolonged struggle with various serious health conditions. Her medical team had been treating her for advanced cirrhosis of the liver, arthritis, diabetes, and multiple chest and heart problems. The party requested everyone to offer prayers for her departed soul and expressed their grief over the loss of Bangladesh’s pioneering woman leader.
Health Struggles and Medical Complications
The news that Khaleda Zia dies comes after years of deteriorating health. Her doctors had been managing a complex array of medical conditions that significantly impacted her quality of life in recent years. The advanced cirrhosis of the liver was particularly concerning, combined with her ongoing battles with arthritis, diabetes, and cardiovascular issues. These multiple health challenges required constant medical attention and care, restricting her ability to participate actively in political activities.
The former prime minister’s health had been a matter of national concern for several years, with supporters and well-wishers regularly inquiring about her condition. Her medical team worked tirelessly to manage her various ailments, but the combination of serious conditions ultimately proved overwhelming.
Funeral Arrangements and Public Mourning
Following the announcement that Khaleda Zia dies, funeral arrangements have been swiftly organized. According to Salahuddin Ahmed, a member of the party’s standing committee, the funeral is scheduled to be held at Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka on Wednesday. This central location will allow thousands of supporters, party members, and citizens to pay their final respects to the woman who served as their prime minister and political leader for decades.
Legal Battles and Political Persecution
The circumstances surrounding Khaleda Zia’s final years were marked by significant legal and political challenges. In 2018, she was convicted in a corruption case dating back to 2008, related to allegations of misappropriating funds meant for orphans. The BNP consistently maintained that these charges were politically motivated, claiming that Sheikh Hasina’s government targeted their leader for partisan reasons.
Khaleda Zia’s prison sentence was suspended in 2020 due to her deteriorating health condition, though she remained under house arrest with strict conditions. She was prohibited from traveling abroad or engaging in political activities. This house arrest continued until Sheikh Hasina was ousted from power, which led to Zia’s release from confinement.
In a significant legal victory, Bangladesh’s Supreme Court acquitted Khaleda Zia in January of this year, overruling her previous 10-year prison sentence in the corruption case. This acquittal came as a vindication for the BNP, which had long argued that the charges were fabricated for political purposes.
Historic Political Legacy
When Khaleda Zia dies, Bangladesh loses its first female prime minister and a towering figure in its political history. She served as prime minister from 1991 to 1996 and again from 2001 to 2006, becoming a trailblazer for women in South Asian politics. As the widow of Ziaur Rahman, the former president and army commander, she entered politics following her husband’s legacy.
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Khaleda came to power through a democratic vote in the 1991 national election, marking a significant moment in Bangladesh’s journey toward democratic governance. During her tenure as prime minister, she implemented crucial reforms, including restoring the parliamentary system of government and introducing the caretaker government system designed to ensure free and fair elections.
Her political journey was not without challenges. In 2007, when an army-backed caretaker government took control, she was imprisoned along with other political leaders, including her long-time rival Sheikh Hasina. After her release, she contested the 2008 parliamentary election, though her party failed to secure victory.
Family and Succession
Khaleda Zia dies leaving behind her elder son Tarique Rahman, his wife, and their daughter. Notably, Tarique Rahman returned to Bangladesh on December 25 after spending 17 years in exile, arriving just days before his mother’s passing. His return marked a potential new chapter in the BNP’s political future, though it has now been overshadowed by the profound loss of the party’s matriarch and Bangladesh’s first female prime minister.
