Dhaka: BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, widely regarded as an uncompromising leader for democracy in Bangladesh, passed away today. She was the first woman to be elected as the prime minister of Bangladesh and the second in the Muslim world, having held the position of party chairperson since 1984.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Khaleda Zia was born on August 15, 1945, in the Dinajpur district to Iskandar and Taiyaba Majumder. Her family originally hailed from southeastern Feni. She pursued her education at Dinajpur Government Girls High School and later at Surendranath College. In 1960, she married Ziaur Rahman, a military captain who later became a Liberation War hero and the President of Bangladesh. Following his assassination in 1981, Zia joined the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and later became its chairperson.
In 1982, a military coup led by General Hussain Muhammad Ershad toppled the BNP government, pushing Zia into the public domain with greater prominence. She initiated a movement for restoring democracy, forming a seven-party alliance in 1983 to end Ershad’s dictatorship. Her steadfast opposition to military rule earned her a reputation as “the uncompromising leader” in the 1980s. She was detained seven times from 1983 to 1990, during which her leadership helped bring down Ershad’s regime.
The 1991 elections, which were nationally and internationally recognized as free and fair, brought the BNP to power, making Zia the first woman prime minister of Bangladesh. Under her leadership, the country transitioned from a presidential to a parliamentary democracy, seeing significant economic transformations and increased employment, particularly in the readymade garments sector. Her government also addressed the Rohingya refugee crisis, influencing international pressure on Myanmar for repatriation agreements.
Zia’s second term as prime minister began after the February 1996 elections but was short-lived as she handed over power to a caretaker government. Despite losing the subsequent elections, her party remained a strong opposition force. In 2001, she was re-elected as prime minister, with her government focusing on eliminating corruption and promoting women’s education and empowerment.
Her tenure ended in 2006, and following a military-backed government in 2007, she was arrested on corruption charges, which were criticized internationally as politically motivated. Despite her legal battles and health issues, she remained a significant figure in Bangladesh’s political landscape, advocating for democracy and fair governance. Her legacy includes significant advancements in education and women’s rights, as well as maintaining a unique record of electoral success across multiple constituencies.