Bangladesh’s terminally ill ex-PM Khaleda Zia has finally come back home from London on Tuesday, marking her return after months of undergoing medical care there. Her comeback is a matter of hope as well as suspense. For the BNP, it can become a new hope for rekindling democracy, but at the same time, it questions politics and future elections.
Return of Khaleda Zia and Political Impact
Khaleda Zia’s return from London is essential for her party and the country. She was receiving treatment for liver cirrhosis, kidney ailment, cardiac problems, and diabetes. Even with her medical issues, her return has rekindled hope in the BNP. Her party considers her presence crucial to promoting their democratic agenda. Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Secretary General of BNP, emphasized that her comeback after years of political repression would revitalize the democratic spirit. He also feels that it would empower the party to combat the regime in power.
Supporters welcomed her with much enthusiasm. Thousands of members of the BNP marched along the 10-kilometer distance from the airport, displaying flags and chanting slogans. The grand welcome reflects the serious political rift in Bangladesh. For the Awami League government, though, Zia’s return heralds fresh challenges. It also demands calibrated responses in a polarized political climate.
Health and Legal Background of Khaleda Zia
The return of Khaleda Zia comes after a major legal victory. Earlier this year, Bangladesh’s Supreme Court cleared her of two corruption charges. She had been earlier convicted and sentenced in the Zia Charitable Trust case. The case, in which she was sentenced to seven years in prison in 2018, was reversed. Her clean slate means she now has a clean slate. The legal victory has strengthened her political position within the BNP and outside.
Zia’s release from prison also comes into play. At first, she was released in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Second, in 2023, a presidential order released her further. For the BNP, this is an important time. The party has long blamed the Awami League for being authoritarian. Zia’s return adds strength to the opposition’s demand for a more democratic election process.
New Challenges for Bangladesh’s Political Landscape
Zia’s return brightens the prospects of BNP but places additional pressure on the political scene. The Sheikh Hasina-led government by Awami League now grapples with increasing demands for a free and fair election. Zia’s return might ignite fresh calls for democratic reforms in a time when there is increasing tension over the legitimacy of future elections. The BNP remains to protest that the existing government should guarantee a level playing field in national elections.
As the opposition calls for reforms, the pressure becomes political. Zia’s return could prove to be the trigger the BNP needs in order to gain support against the ruling party’s perceived grip on power. Such a scenario paints the picture for an escalating confrontation between the opposition and the ruling party, particularly as elections are near.
A Symbol of Political Resistance
To her supporters, Khaleda Zia’s return is not only personal. She represents defiance against a government they feel has eroded democratic freedoms. Regardless of her health issues and time in exile, Khaleda Zia remains at the center of Bangladesh’s politics. Her return rekindles the BNP’s narrative of democratic restoration. Whether this results in political triumph or increased polarization is unknown. One thing is certain that Zia’s return to Bangladesh’s political landscape will not be ignored.
