Khaleda Zia Dies, Story of Political Rivalry 2 Women who Split Bangladesh

Illustration-Flag of Bangladesh (DOK VOI)

JAKARTA - Former Prime Minister of Bangladesh Khaleda Zia died at the age of 80 after undergoing treatment for a prolonged illness.

Khaleda Zia's departure marks the end of the political rivalry of the two most influential women in Bangladesh who have divided the country's political landscape for decades.

Khaleda Zia was Bangladesh's first female prime minister, serving in 1991, after leading the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to win the first democratic election in two decades.

Since then, Bangladeshi politics has been dominated by a bitter rivalry between Khaleda Zia and her main rival, Sheikh Hasina.

The BNP party announced Khaleda Zia's death through social media on Monday morning, quoted from BBC, Tuesday, December 30.

"Our leader, whom we love most, has left us," the BNP wrote.

The sad news immediately triggered a crowd of residents around the hospital in Dhaka where Khaleda Zia was being treated, with security forces on guard to control the situation.

Doctors stated that Khaleda Zia's condition was in a very critical state. He was reported to have undergone intensive care with life-saving equipment, but the limitations of medical treatment due to his advanced age and health condition made the rescue efforts unsuccessful.

Khaleda Zia's name was first known to the public as the wife of Bangladesh President Ziaur Rahman. After Ziaur Rahman was killed in a military coup in 1981, Khaleda Zia entered politics and later rose to become the leader of the BNP. She is known as a firm figure who refused to compromise with the military regime in the 1980s.

During her first term, Khaleda Zia's government was praised for encouraging women's education and reviving the parliamentary democracy system through constitutional amendments. However, her subsequent tenure was marked by criticism, especially regarding the conduct of elections and corruption allegations.

Khaleda Zia returned to the post of prime minister in 2001 to 2006. Her government at that time faced strong pressure due to corruption allegations and political instability. After that, she was increasingly ousted from power as Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League strengthened their position.

For the past decade, Khaleda Zia has been the main symbol of opposition to the government of Sheikh Hasina, which is considered by some circles to be increasingly authoritarian. She was boycotted from the political process, sentenced in a corruption case that she always denied, and spent time in detention.

Despite his declining health, BNP previously stated that Khaleda Zia still intends to be involved in the national political contest. However, Khaleda Zia's death now closes the long chapter of personal political rivalry that shaped the history of modern Bangladesh.

With Khaleda Zia's departure, Bangladesh not only lost a former head of government, but also one of two central figures who for decades have determined the political direction of the country.