New Delhi, January 7 – As Bangladesh gears up for pivotal elections, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has fired back at critics blaming her for the demise of her political rival, Khaleda Zia. In an exclusive email interview, Hasina described the accusations as ‘utterly false’ and a disturbing trend of turning tragedy into political ammunition.
Khaleda Zia, the longstanding chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and three-time Prime Minister, passed away on December 30, 2025, at the age of 80 after a prolonged illness. She was laid to rest with full state honors the following day. Despite her towering legacy, some leaders have pointed fingers at Hasina and her Awami League, claiming neglect during Zia’s imprisonment led to her health decline.
Hasina, reflecting on Zia’s contributions, expressed deep condolences. ‘Her death is a massive loss to Bangladesh’s political landscape. Though we stood on opposite sides, her public role and service to the nation were undeniable,’ she stated. She emphasized the need for unity over division in such trying times.
Responding to BNP’s allegations read out by standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan in the presence of Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and other dignitaries, Hasina rejected the narrative outright. BNP claimed Zia was jailed unjustly from February 8, 2018, for over two years, denied proper care, and emerged frail from solitary-like conditions.
Countering this, former Bangladeshi minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury, in a prior interview, highlighted Hasina’s efforts. During her tenure, Zia received top-tier medical attention at premier hospitals, including surgeries by foreign specialists arranged on Hasina’s orders. ‘Post-Hasina government, her health truly deteriorated,’ Chowdhury noted, praising the humane treatment – house arrest rather than cell confinement, coupled with international healthcare.
This exchange underscores deep political fault lines in Bangladesh ahead of elections. Hasina’s rebuttal calls for respect amid grief, urging an end to blame games that fracture national unity. As campaigns intensify, the legacy of these two iconic women leaders will continue to shape the discourse.
