Khaleda Zia, a Symbol of Firmness
Staff Reporter :
Khaleda Zia, who served as prime minister of Bangladesh for three terms, died on Tuesday morning at the age of 80.
Khaleda Zia served as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh three, becoming the first woman to serve as prime minister of Bangladesh.
Her first term was from March 1991 to February 1996, the second term lasted for a few weeks after February 1996, and the third term was from October 2001 to October 2006.
THE RISE OF A UNIQYUE LEADER
Khaleda Zia is one of the most consequential and controversial figures in Bangladesh’s political history. As the country’s first female prime minister and a two-time head of government, her career shaped Bangladesh’s post-authoritarian politics for more than three decades.
Her fame as a steadfast and uncompromising leader was forged through her active role in movements resisting authoritarianism, autocracy, and fascist tendencies, alongside her participation in the nationwide struggle to restore democratic governance.
Khaleda Zia was a firm figure in Bangladesh’s democratic struggles, political transitions, and the shaping of its modern state.
EARLY LIFE AND ENTRY INTO POLITICS
Born on 15 August 1945, Khaleda Zia entered public life largely after the death of her husband, Ziaur Rahman, a former army chief and president who was assassinated in 1981. Following his death, Khaleda gradually became involved in politics and rose through the ranks of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which Ziaur Rahman had founded.
In 1984, she became chairperson of the BNP, positioning herself as a central figure in the opposition to military ruler Hussain Muhammad Ershad.
ROLE IN THE FALL OF MILITARY RULE
During the 1980s, Khaleda Zia emerged as a leading voice in the mass movement demanding the restoration of democracy. Her alliance with other opposition forces played a crucial role in the downfall of Ershad’s regime in 1990, marking Bangladesh’s return to parliamentary democracy.
KEY ELECTORAL RECORD
Khaleda Zia, BNP chairperson and former Prime Minister, won major victories in 1991 and 2001, securing her seats and leading her party to power. She also triumphed in the controversial 1996 June election amid opposition boycotts.
FIRST TERM AS PRIME MINISTER (1991-1996)
Following the 1991 general election, Khaleda Zia became prime minister, heading a BNP-led government.
Her first term is remembered for:
n Restoring the parliamentary system through the 12th constitutional amendment
n Stabilising democratic institutions after years of military rule
n Promoting conservative-nationalist politics rooted in Bangladeshi identity
However, allegations of corruption, political intolerance, and opposition boycotts dominated the latter part of her tenure, leading to political unrest.
SECOND TERM AS PRIME MINISTER (2001-2006)
Khaleda Zia returned to power after the 2001 general election, leading a four-party alliance government. This period was marked by:
n Strong BNP dominance in parliament
n Economic growth alongside rising inequality
n Increasing concerns over militancy and political violence
n Persistent allegations of corruption and misuse of power
Her second term ended amid political deadlock, paving the way for a caretaker government backed by the military in 2007.
IMPRISONMENT AND LEGAL BATTLES
After the 2008 election brought Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League to power, Khaleda Zia faced multiple corruption cases. In 2018, she was convicted in the Zia Orphanage Trust case and sentenced to prison, later receiving additional convictions.
Supporters viewed these cases as politically motivated, while critics argued they reflected long-standing corruption within her administration.
DECLINING HEALTH AND POLITICAL ABSENCE
From prison and later under conditional release, Khaleda Zia’s health steadily deteriorated. She gradually withdrew from active politics, while the BNP struggled to maintain momentum in her absence. Her rivalry with Sheikh Hasina – often described as the defining feature of Bangladesh’s modern politics – shaped governance, elections, and political culture for decades.
ENDURING ENDLESS LEGACY
Khaleda Zia’s legacy remains deeply polarising:
n Supporters regard her as a symbol of democratic resistance and nationalist politics.
n Critics associate her rule with corruption, political confrontation, and institutional weakness.
Regardless of perspective, her impact is undeniable. Khaleda Zia stood at the centre of Bangladesh’s political life for over 30 years, and her rise, rule, and fall mirror the country’s struggles with democracy, power, and accountability.
