What Khaleda Zia's Passing Means For BNP And Bangladesh Elections
The death of Bangladesh's first female Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia at the age of 80 marks the end of the long-running "Battle of the Begums" that defined the country's politics for over three decades. Her passing is expected to trigger a major political realignment ahead of the February 12 elections, with leadership within the BNP shifting decisively to her son, Tariq Rahman, who has returned to Dhaka after 17 years in exile. While her death may create short-term volatility, it could also open space for new coalitions in Bangladesh's evolving political landscape.
