Bangladeshs First Woman Prime Minister Khaleda Zia Dies

Bangladesh’s Former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia Passes Away at 80

Dhaka, Bangladesh - December 30, 2023 - Begum Khaleda Zia, the chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), passed away early in the morning on December 30 at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. She was 80 years old.

Khaleda Zia had been admitted to hospital on November 23 and spent her days outside the hospital gate, awaiting news of her recovery. A video of her holding a placard with a message for her supporters went viral on social media platforms.

Born on August 15, 1946, in Dinajpur, Bangladesh, Khaleda Zia’s entry into politics was shaped by the assassination of her husband, President Ziaur Rahman, in May 1981. Senior BNP leaders saw her as a unifying figure for the party and she eventually emerged as a central civilian leader challenging authoritarian rule.

Khaleda Zia joined the BNP in January 1982 and rose through the ranks to become its chairperson in August 1984. She won three elections to become prime minister, dominating Bangladeshi politics alongside her longtime rival, Sheikh Hasina.

Khaleda Zia’s legacy is complex, with both supporters and critics viewing her as a polarizing figure. While she fought for democracy and against authoritarianism, allegations of corruption have tarnished her reputation. Her uncompromising style while in opposition, including leading election boycotts and prolonged street movements, has inspired intense loyalty among supporters.

Khaleda Zia’s death marks the end of a more than three-decade-long chapter in Bangladeshi politics, where she dominated alongside Sheikh Hasina. The BNP announced her passing in a statement on Facebook, describing her as “our beloved national leader.”

Source: Al Jazeera