DHAKA, Dec 30:
Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s first woman Prime Minister who restored democracy after a span of military rule and dominated the country’s politics for decades, died on Tuesday after a prolonged illness. She was 80.
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Zia’s demise came less than six weeks before Bangladesh will vote in the Parliamentary elections for the first time after a massive student-led uprising led to the collapse of the Sheikh Hasina-led Government. Zia and Hasina were political rivals.
“My mother is no more,” Zia’s elder son and Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) acting Chairman Tarique Rahman said early in the morning.
Zia was a three-time prime Minister and held the position of chairperson of BNP. Her personal physician, Dr AZM Zahid Hossain, said she breathed her last early on Tuesday while receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka.
The BNP said she passed away at 6:00 am local time, “just after Fajr prayer”.
Zia’s funeral will be held on Wednesday after Zohr prayers at Parliament’s South Plaza and the adjoining Manik Mia Avenue, Law Advisor Asif Nazrul said.
“Our sincerest condolences to her family and all the people of Bangladesh. May the Almighty grant her family the fortitude to bear this tragic loss,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on social media. “We hope that her vision and legacy will continue to guide our partnership. May her soul rest in peace.”
In the evening, India announced that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will travel to Dhaka to attend Zia’s funeral. (PTI)
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