Bangladesh's first female PM Khaleda Zia passes away, PM Modi, Muhammad Yunus condole her demise

Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh's first woman Prime Minister and leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), passed away Tuesday morning at about 6 AM at the age of 80. She had been on a ventilator for 20 days.

Khaleda had been battling chest infections, liver and kidney problems, diabetes, arthritis, and eye ailments for several years. Her family and party leaders have confirmed her death.

Khaleda served as Prime Minister of Bangladesh twice, from 1991 to 1996 and from 2001 to 2006. She was the wife of former President Ziaur Rahman.

Her eldest son and BNP acting chairman, Tarique Rahman, had been living in London since 2008. He returned to Bangladesh on December 25th. Her younger son, Arafat Rahman, died of a heart attack in 2015.

Election Nomination Filed a day earlier

Khaleda Zia's election nomination papers were filed on Monday (December 29th). Around 3 PM, senior party leaders arrived at the Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer's office to submit her nomination papers for the Bogura-7 constituency.

At that time, it was already clear that Khaleda Zia's health was extremely critical. She was on a ventilator. Despite this, the BNP decided that Khaleda would contest the election.

The Bogura-7 constituency holds special significance for the BNP. It is the area where the party's founder and Khaleda Zia's husband, Ziaur Rahman, resided. Khaleda won this seat three times, in 1991, 1996, and 2001

PM Modi expresses  grief

Prime Minister Modi has expressed his condolences on the passing of Khaleda Zia. He said that with her demise, Bangladesh has lost a leader who served the country for a long time and played a significant role in its politics.

The condolence message stated that the Government of India and the people of India stand with Khaleda Zia's family and the people of Bangladesh during this difficult time.

Prime Minister Modi also said that as the first female Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Khaleda Zia made a significant contribution to the country's development. Several important decisions were taken during her tenure, which had a long-lasting impact on Bangladeshi politics and society. Her role in strengthening India-Bangladesh relations was also acknowledged.

Prime Minister Modi further added that he still fondly remembers his meeting with Khaleda Zia in Dhaka in 2015. He expressed hope that Khaleda Zia's vision and political legacy will help strengthen India-Bangladesh relations in the future.

I am deeply saddened: Yunus

'The Chief Advisor of Bangladesh's interim government, Muhammad Yunus, expressed "deep sorrow" on Tuesday over the death of Khaleda Zia.

Yunus said that with the passing of Begum Khaleda Zia, the country has lost a great leader. He said, "I am deeply saddened and heartbroken by her death." Speaking about Khaleda Zia on the social media platform X, Yunus said that she was "not just the leader of a political party," but that she represented "a significant chapter" in Bangladesh's history.

Mohammad Yunus stated that earlier this month, the government had declared Khaleda Zia a "Very Important Person" in recognition of her contributions, long struggle, and the deep respect she commands among the people.

The chief adviser added that her struggle for the establishment of democracy, a multi-party political culture, and the rights of the people in Bangladesh will always be remembered.

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