By: The Trek News Desk
Bangladesh’s first female prime minister and one of the country’s most influential political figures, Khaleda Zia, has passed away at the age of 80 after a prolonged illness. She breathed her last at around 6:00 am on Tuesday at a private hospital in Dhaka, marking the end of a defining chapter in Bangladesh’s political history.
According to doctors, Khaleda Zia’s health had deteriorated significantly over the past few days. She was suffering from multiple serious conditions, including heart disease, kidney complications and pneumonia. Due to her advanced age and frail condition, doctors said it was not possible to administer several treatments simultaneously, and she was placed on life support.
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) confirmed her death through a social media statement, calling it an irreparable loss for the party and the nation. Soon after the news broke, large numbers of supporters gathered outside the hospital, prompting the deployment of police forces to manage the crowd.
Khaleda Zia created history in 1991 by becoming Bangladesh’s first woman prime minister after leading her party to victory in the country’s first democratic election in nearly two decades. She was the widow of former president Ziaur Rahman, who was assassinated during a military coup in 1981. Following his death, she entered politics and gradually rose to become the central figure of the BNP.
Political observers describe Khaleda Zia as a firm and uncompromising leader. During the 1980s, under military ruler Hussain Muhammad Ershad, she boycotted disputed elections, a move that strengthened her image as a resilient opposition leader. In a male-dominated political environment, she carved out a powerful position and went on to become one of Bangladesh’s most formidable politicians.
Her first term as prime minister was widely appreciated for initiatives aimed at improving women’s education and social development. During this period, parliamentary democracy was restored through constitutional amendments. However, her later tenures were marked by controversy, including allegations of corruption and electoral irregularities.
Over the past 16 years, during the rule of the Awami League, Khaleda Zia remained the most prominent face of opposition politics. She boycotted the 2014 general elections and was later convicted in corruption cases, leading to her imprisonment. She consistently denied the charges, describing them as politically motivated.
Last year, following mass protests that led to the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government and her departure from the country, Khaleda Zia was released. The BNP had recently indicated that she might play an active role in the upcoming general elections.
Tributes poured in from across the political spectrum following her death. Interim leader Muhammad Yunus expressed deep sorrow, calling Khaleda Zia a symbol of Bangladesh’s democratic movement. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also conveyed his condolences, acknowledging her contribution to Bangladesh’s development and to bilateral relations with India.
Family members, including her son Tarique Rahman, were by her side during her final moments. The BNP has appealed to citizens to pray for the departed leader, remembering her lifelong role in shaping Bangladesh’s political journey.
Source: News Agencies
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