DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) - Khaleda Zia, the ailing former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, returned to the country on Tuesday morning after undergoing four months of medical treatment in London. Her return is adding to the pressure on the interim government to conduct national elections. The nation has been under the leadership of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus since former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted during a student-led uprising in August of the previous year.
Zia, who is the archrival of Hasina, along with her political party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has been advocating for Yunus’ government to organize a national election in December to restore democratic governance in Bangladesh. The initial response to Hasina's ousting was positive among many citizens, who viewed it as an opportunity to return to a democratic election process. However, doubt has surfaced regarding the new government’s commitment to holding elections in a timely manner. The government has stated that the next elections will happen either in December or by June of next year, contingent upon the implementation of reforms across various sectors.
A large crowd gathered outside Dhaka's main airport to welcome Zia back to her homeland. She arrived on a special air ambulance arranged by Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, who had previously facilitated her transport to London in January. Khaleda Zia suffers from multiple serious health issues and has not been seen at public gatherings for several years. Her elder son, Tarique Rahman, currently leads the BNP from exile in London, serving as the acting chief of the party.
Zia's physical return to the country holds significant symbolic value for her political party, particularly while Hasina resides in exile in India. The political rivalry between Zia and Hasina dates back to 1991, following the country's return to democracy after the ouster of authoritarian President H.M. Ershad. Since then, Zia and Hasina have alternated in power, each serving as Prime Ministers at different times.
Khaleda Zia has held the position of Prime Minister three times—twice for full five-year terms and once for a short period. She is the widow of former military chief-turned-President Ziaur Rahman, who was assassinated in 1981. In contrast, Sheikh Hasina is the daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who played a pivotal role in leading Bangladesh’s struggle for independence from Pakistan in 1971.
The political landscape in Bangladesh is currently charged, and with Zia's return, the anticipation around the forthcoming elections is intensifying. Supporters of Zia and the BNP view her return as the potential turning point for restoring democracy in the country.
