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Amid rising political tensions in Dhaka, former Prime Minister and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia returned from London on Tuesday after four months of medical treatment. Her return is being seen as a significant moment in the opposition’s push for early elections and the restoration of democratic rule following the political upheaval since Hasina’s ousting.
Zia, the main rival of deposed PM Sheikh Hasina, leads the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Her party has been demanding that the interim government hold elections by December. As the country’s main opposition party, the BNP has been increasing pressure on the interim administration for a swift return to the polls.
However, the interim government, led by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, is prioritising its reform agenda first. Meanwhile, the newly formed student-backed National Citizen Party (NCP) is building a nationwide network and claims that holding elections under what they describe as a “pro-BNP” bureaucracy would be unfair. They support implementing Yunus’s reforms before any vote is held.
A senior BNP leader said, “We believe Zia’s return will strengthen efforts to restore democracy.”
Zia’s return has already added pressure on the interim government to hold elections.
She is Hasina’s archrival. Under Sheikh Hasina’s rule, several opposition parties, including Khaleda Zia’s BNP, either boycotted elections or accused the government of vote-rigging. While many saw Hasina’s removal as an opportunity to restore democratic elections, doubts have recently emerged about how soon the new government will actually hold polls. The interim administration has said elections could be held in December or by next June, depending on how quickly reforms are carried out.
Zia’s physical presence in the country holds significant symbolic value for her party, while Hasina remains in exile in India.
Ahead of her arrival, BNP secretary-general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said on Tuesday that her return would help Bangladesh restore the democratic process.
Impact Shorts
More Shorts“This is a joyous moment for us and the nation. At this crucial time for democracy, her presence marks a significant day for the country. We believe that Khaleda Zia’s return will facilitate the path to democratic transition,” Fakhrul told reporters.
Zia and Hasina have alternated as prime ministers since 1991 when the country returned to democracy after the ousting of authoritarian President HM Ershad.
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