Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Haleida Zia returns, increasing election pressure
Dhaka, Bangladesh – Bangladesh's sick former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia returned from London on Tuesday after four months of treatment, adding to pressure on his interim leader to hold elections.
South Asian countries have been under the government led by Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus since former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted in August last year in a mass uprising led by students.
Hasina's rival Zia and her Bangladesh Nationalist Party have been prompting the Yunus government to hold national elections in December to restore democratic rule to the country.
Under Hasina, many opposition parties, including Zia's French Kuomintang, boycotted the polls or accused the authorities of rigging it. Many welcomed Hasina’s overturn, an opportunity to return to democratic elections, but in recent months, the new government has been committed to the promise of holding elections, but doubts and uncertainty have surfaced. It said the next election will be held in December or next June, depending on the degree of reforms in each sector.
Her eldest son, Tarique Rahman, led the party as acting chief of London exiles.
Zia greeted her at her senior party leader at the main airport in Dhaka after landing at 10:43 am. Zia smiled while sitting in a wheelchair and repeatedly raised her right hand to receive greetings.
Crowds gather outside Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to welcome back leaders, which is nervous about security. Thousands of supporters, many carrying Bangladesh and French KMT flags, are waiting for about 9 km of road to her home in the upscale canyon area of Dhaka.
Zia, accompanied by two daughters, was a special air ambulance arranged by Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, who also arranged for transport to London in January. Zia suffers from various serious health conditions and she does not attend any public gatherings.
Zia's physical presence in the country had great symbolic value to her party when Zia was exiled in India.
French Kuomintang Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said on Tuesday that her return would help Bangladesh restore democratic process.
“It is a joyful moment for us and the country. Her presence marks a big day for the country during this crucial democratic period. We believe the return of Khaleda Zia will help the path to the democratic transition,” Fakrull told reporters.
Since the removal of authoritarian President HM Ershad in 1991, Zia and Hasina have alternately ruled that the country is prime minister.
Zia served as prime minister three times, twice twice, for a full five years, and only a few months at one time.
During Hasina's 15 years in power, Zia was sentenced to 17 years in prison in two corruption cases. Her party said the allegations against Zia were politically motivated, accusation denied by the Hasina government. Zia was later released from prison for not leaving the country.
Zia is the legacy of former military chief transformed into President Ziaur Rahman, who was assassinated in 1981. Hasina is the daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who led Bangladesh’s struggle for independence with Pakistan in 1971.