Khaleda Zia, former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, has left for medical treatment in London due to severe health issues. Her departure comes amid significant political upheaval following the ousting of Sheikh Hasina, with uncertainties about the country’s political future as an interim government prepares for elections. Zia’s son, Tarique Rahman, awaits her in London, continuing the family’s political legacy.
In a significant political development, Khaleda Zia, the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, has departed for London to seek medical treatment. At 79 years of age, Ms. Zia suffers from severe health issues, including liver cirrhosis, cardiac disease, and kidney problems, as confirmed by her physician, Dr. A.Z.M. Zahid Hossain. Her journey follows a turbulent political landscape after her adversary, Sheikh Hasina, was ousted during a mass student-led uprising in August. In her absence, Bangladesh is currently governed by an interim administration under Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, with impending elections planned for later this year or early 2026.
Zia’s departure comes after being granted bail due to health concerns, despite governmental reluctance to permit her travel abroad for treatment. With extensive media coverage, her final journey to the airport was marked by large crowds of supporters. The emir of Qatar had arranged for a special air ambulance, highlighting the international dimensions of her health crisis. Her eldest son, Tarique Rahman, awaits her in London, where he has been in exile, continuing the political legacy of the Zia family.
In the wake of political upheaval following Hasina’s exit, uncertainty looms over Bangladesh, with efforts from student groups to form new political entities amid a potential shift towards more Islamist parties gaining influence. Khaleda Zia’s departure not only signifies her personal health struggles but may also affect the political dynamics within the nation, as her party navigates its position in the forthcoming electoral landscape.
Khaleda Zia is a prominent figure in Bangladesh’s political sphere, having served as Prime Minister at different times since the early 2000s. Her political journey has been closely intertwined with that of Sheikh Hasina, with whom she has had a longstanding rivalry. The political landscape in Bangladesh has seen significant turbulence, including student-led uprisings that led to Hasina’s ousting, creating a vacuum of leadership as both former prime ministers grapple with health issues and political exile. Zia’s incarceration and subsequent medical issues reflect the ongoing controversies in the nation’s governance, bringing attention to the allegations of politically motivated corruption charges against her, which she and her supporters contest.
Khaleda Zia’s medical departure to London represents a pivotal moment in both her life and the political climate of Bangladesh. As she seeks treatment for her serious health conditions, the void left in the political arena prompts potential shifts in party dynamics and voter sentiment. The ongoing interim government’s plans for elections amid rising Islamist influences suggest that Bangladesh may be on the brink of significant political change. With both Zia and Hasina facing exile and health crises, the political future of the nation remains uncertain as it approaches its next electoral cycle.
Original Source: m.economictimes.com
