Sheikh Hasina, the exiled former Bangladesh Prime Minister expressed her condolences on Twitter, over the demise of Bangladesh’s first woman prime minister, Khaleda Zia. In the tweet Hasina appreciated and paid gratitude to Zia for ‘her role in the struggle to establish democracy’. She called Begum Khaleda Zia’s death as a major loss for Bangladesh.

Zia, 80, died of prolonged illness this morning. Her death was announced by her party BNP on the social handle, “The BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister, Begum Khaleda Zia, passed away today at 6:00 a.m., shortly after the Fajr prayer. We pray for the forgiveness of her soul and request everyone to offer prayers for her departed soul.”

A few hours later Hasina shared a condolence message on Awami League X account. “I extend my deepest condolences on the passing of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. As the first woman Prime Minister of Bangladesh, and for her role in the struggle to establish democracy, her contributions to the nation were significant and will be remembered. Her passing represents a profound loss for Bangladesh’s political life and for the leadership of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. I pray for the eternal peace and forgiveness of Begum Khaleda Zia’s soul. I convey my sincere sympathies to her son, Tarique Rahman, and to the members of her bereaved family. I also extend my condolences to the wider BNP family. I hope that Almighty Allah grants them patience, strength, and comfort to endure this difficult time.”

What relationship Khaleda and Sheikh Hasina shared?

Khaleda Zia and Hasina have been rivals in politics for many decades. Their rivalry was very famous and it shaped the country’s politics for almost 30 years. The duo did not share a good relationship, after Zia’s son was forced into exile with 84 cases against him, including Hasina’s murder conspiracy.

However, being a political senior, Hasina paid her last respect. Hasina, who is currently taking refuge in India after she was dethroned in August last year, remembered the days when Khaleda Zia took charge of the nation.

Who was Khaleda Zia?

Born in Jalpaiguri, Dinajpur district of British India, Daughter of Iskandar and Taiyaba Majumder, Khaleda Zia created history in 1991, when she won the election and became the first Woman Prime Minister of Bangladesh. In 2001, she again came to power and became the Prime Minister for the second term, becoming one of the most influential political leaders in Bangladesh’s history.

Zia is survived by her son Tarique Rahman, who recently returned to India after 17 years exile, and daughter Zaima Rahman. Tarique who was the acting chairman of BNP in absence of Zia, will soon take up the position full time. And there is a discussion in the political corridor that Tarique will be the one of the contenders of the elections scheduled in February.

Tarique had returned to Bangladesh on December 25, to meet her mother, who was long suffering from health issues. In past many years, she had been flying to London for treatment, but recently a few months back she had returned to Bangladesh

As per the last media reports, she was suffering from various ailments like liver cirrhosis, arthritis, diabetes, and chest and heart-related complications.

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