End of an Era for Bangladesh's Turbulent Politics
Khaleda Zia, the first woman to serve as prime minister of Bangladesh and a central figure in one of the world's most enduring political rivalries, has died at the age of 80. Her passing marks the close of a dramatic chapter in the nation's history, defined by the so-called "Battle of the Begums" against her arch-rival, Sheikh Hasina.
Zia, who led the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), served two terms as premier in the 1990s and early 2000s. She was widely credited with advancing the country's economy and spearheading initiatives that significantly improved female education and empowerment. Yet, her political career was inextricably shaped by a bitter, three-decade feud for dominance with Sheikh Hasina of the Awami League.
A Dynastic Feud That Shaped a Nation
The roots of this intense rivalry lie in Bangladesh's tragic history of assassinations and dynastic politics. Both women ascended to leadership following the murders of close family members. Sheikh Hasina's father was Mujibur Rahman, the nation's founding father, killed in 1975. Khaleda Zia's husband was Ziaur Rahman, the country's first military ruler, assassinated in 1981.
Their initially united front against the military dictatorship of General Hussain Muhammad Ershad shattered after his fall. The 1991 election brought Zia to power, setting a pattern for the ensuing decades. Each leader's term was marred by accusations of vote-rigging, corruption, and violent street protests, with the opposition routinely boycotting parliament.
Zia's political strategy involved a lasting alliance with the minority Islamist party, Jamaat-e-Islami, which drew hostility from neighbouring India. In office, she cultivated closer ties with Pakistan and China, contrasting sharply with Hasina's pro-India stance.
From Shy Housewife to Steel-Willed Leader
Khaleda Zia's journey to the pinnacle of power was improbable. Born Khaleda Khanam in Jalpaiguri in 1945—a date disputed in court by opponents—she was known in her family as "Putul" or doll. She married army officer Ziaur Rahman in 1960, embracing the life of a devoted mother and housewife.
Her transformation began after her husband's assassination. She joined the BNP in 1982 and, defying expectations, became its chair by 1984. She demonstrated remarkable resilience during periods of house arrest under Ershad's regime. Her principled refusal to participate in a 1986 election held under martial law bolstered the BNP's credibility, contributing to her historic victory in 1991.
In power, she continued her husband's economic liberalisation, relaxed media controls, and championed girls' schooling. Her efforts helped Bangladesh become one of the first developing nations to achieve gender parity in school enrolment. However, her second term after 2001 was undermined by rising Islamist radicalism and allegations that her elder son, Tarique Rahman, was running a shadow government.
A Legacy of Growth and Incarceration
Despite the persistent political turmoil, Bangladesh under the alternating rule of the two begums achieved significant economic progress, reaching lower-middle-income status. This growth was driven by garment exports and remittances from millions working abroad, but the World Bank also highlighted the critical role of women's empowerment—a key part of Zia's legacy.
Zia never returned to power after her term ended in 2006. Following a loss in 2008, she boycotted the 2014 election. In 2018, she was convicted on corruption charges, which her supporters denounced as politically motivated. She was sentenced to prison, disqualified from office, but refused exile.
Released to house arrest in 2020 due to failing health, all restrictions on her were lifted only after Sheikh Hasina's own fall from power in 2024. An interim government acquitted her of all charges. For the first time since 1991, Bangladesh now faces a general election without either of the two defining begums on the ballot.
Khaleda Zia is survived by her son, Tarique Rahman, who now leads the BNP. Her younger son, Arafat, died in 2015.
