In the heated prelude to Bangladesh’s elections, Sheikh Hasina, ex-PM and Awami League chief, has condemned the rush to politicize Khaleda Zia’s death. Labeling accusations against her as baseless, Hasina warned against the perilous habit of weaponizing personal tragedies for political gain.
Zia, Bangladesh’s first female PM and BNP stalwart, succumbed to illness on December 30, 2025, aged 80. Her funeral drew state honors, yet BNP leaders like Nazrul Islam Khan publicly accused Hasina’s regime of imprisoning Zia since 2018 in a ‘false case,’ withholding treatment that allegedly hastened her end. Khan’s statement, delivered before key figures including Muhammad Yunus, painted a picture of a leader entering prison on foot but exiting broken by isolation.
Hasina’s poignant response in an email interview acknowledged Zia’s stature. ‘A profound loss for our politics. Political adversaries or not, her contributions were invaluable. My heart goes out to her family and supporters.’ She dismissed responsibility claims as falsehoods, advocating for dignity over discord.
Defending Hasina’s record, ex-minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury revealed details of exceptional care provided. State-of-the-art facilities, foreign doctors for life-saving operations – all under Hasina’s directive. ‘She wasn’t rotting in a cell but under house arrest with world-class medical access. Her real decline came after our government’s exit,’ he asserted, portraying Hasina’s approach as remarkably compassionate beyond rivalry.
With electoral stakes high, this controversy highlights enduring rivalries between Awami League and BNP. Hasina’s plea for restraint arrives at a critical juncture, as Bangladesh navigates its future. The nation watches closely, hoping for healing rather than further polarization in honoring Zia’s memory.