Former Bangladesh Prime Minister and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia passed away early Tuesday while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka, the party said in a statement on social media platform Facebook. She was 80 years old.
According to the BNP, Khaleda Zia died at around 6 am (local time), shortly after the Fajr prayer. The party confirmed the news through posts on its verified Facebook page, saying, “Khaleda Zia passed away at around 6:00 am, just after Fajr prayer.” The party added, “We pray for the eternal peace of her soul and ask everyone to pray for her departed soul.”
Begum Khaleda Zia was admitted to Dhaka’s Evercare Hospital on November 23 with a lung infection. She had been suffering from multiple health issues for a long time, including heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, liver cirrhosis, and kidney complications.
Earlier this month, the former prime minister was sent to London for advanced medical treatment for her ailments.
Her death comes at a crucial political moment, with Bangladesh preparing for national elections scheduled for February 2026, amid heightened political tensions following last year’s July Uprising.
The former prime minister’s passing also follows the recent return of her son, BNP leader Tarique Rahman, to Bangladesh after years in exile. Rahman had left the country after being arrested in 2007–08 and later settled in London following his release.
After the removal of Sheikh Hasina’s government last year, he was acquitted in several cases filed during the Awami League period, clearing the way for his return.
Tarique Rahman arrived in Bangladesh last week and was welcomed by a large gathering of party leaders and supporters near the airport, in what was seen as a major political event ahead of the upcoming elections.
Following his arrival, he also visited his mother at Evercare Hospital. Further details regarding Khaleda Zia’s funeral arrangements and official programmes are awaited.
Bangladesh Chief Adviser “deeply saddened” over death of ex-PM Khaleda Zia
Chief Adviser of the interim government of Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus, on Tuesday expressed profound grief over the death of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, describing her as a “great guardian” of the nation and a towering figure in Bangladesh’s democratic history.
In a condolence message posted on X, Yunus said he was “deeply saddened and grief-stricken” by the passing of the three-time former prime minister, noting that her death marked an irreparable loss for the country.
“Begum Khaleda Zia was not merely the leader of a political party; she represented an important chapter in the history of Bangladesh,” the message read, adding that her long political struggle and the deep public sentiment associated with her leadership would be remembered with respect.
Muhammad Yunus recalled that earlier this month, the interim government had declared Khaleda Zia a Very, Very Important Person (VVIP) of the State in recognition of her contributions, political legacy, and role in the democratic movement.
Highlighting her role in restoring democracy and fostering a multi-party political culture, Yunus said Khaleda Zia’s uncompromising leadership repeatedly inspired the nation to overcome undemocratic conditions and reclaim civil liberties.
He noted that she entered politics in 1982 following the assassination of her husband, former Bangladeshi President Ziaur Rahman, and later played a decisive role in ending the nine-year autocratic rule of HM Ershad.
Yunus also credited her with landmark initiatives, including the introduction of free education and stipends for girls, as well as economic liberalisation measures during her tenure as prime minister from 1991.
Despite political differences, he said, her people-oriented leadership and lifelong dedication to national welfare earned her a lasting place in the country’s history.
BNP braces for leadership transition after Khaleda Zia’s death
The passing of Bangladesh’s first woman Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia has shifted political focus to her son Tarique Rahman, who returned to the country last week after living in exile for 17 years.
Rahman, who has already declared his candidature for the general elections scheduled for February next year, is widely seen as a prime ministerial candidate.
Rahman’s arrival was seen as a major shift in the country’s political landscape, which is currently under an interim government led by Chief Adviser and Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus.
The grand reception he received from supporters and senior BNP leaders was viewed as a significant political event ahead of the February 2026 elections.
With Khaleda Zia’s death, the BNP is expected to rally behind Tarique Rahman as it enters a decisive phase in Bangladesh’s political future.
Meanwhile, divisions have emerged within the National Citizen Party (NCP), particularly over its alliance with the Islamic conservative party Jamaat-e-Islami. Several leaders have opposed the alliance, with some choosing to contest the elections independently.
Taken together, the return of Tarique Rahman, the leadership vacuum created by Khaleda Zia’s death, and fragmentation among rival political forces could tilt the balance in favour of the BNP ahead of the upcoming polls. (ANI)
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