Bangladesh’s Reshaping Transitions

Khaleda Zia’s deteriorating health, Tarique Rahman’s return, and unprecedented court rulings have upended Bangladesh’s political balance ahead of a pivotal election

- SHANTANU MUKHARJI

Khaleda Zia's failing health now anchors the most consequential political moment in Bangladesh's recent history

Former Prime Minister and Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Khaleda Zia, is extremely critical and is currently hospitalised in Dhaka. There are numerous speculations on her health, and the BNP seems to be in a quandary. Amid these developments, her son and de facto party supremo, Tarique Rahman, who has been in exile in the UK for the last so many years, is being facilitated by the interim government to come back to Dhaka at the earliest to meet his precariously ill mother.

Technical glitches obstructing his travel are being sorted out. It is thought that Tarique is not in possession of a Bangladesh passport, and therefore, the government is contemplating giving him a travel document to facilitate his travel. He is also believed to be flying back to Dhaka at the earliest to handle party affairs, especially when the forthcoming elections are a little more than two months away, needing the party a clear-cut direction to steer the ship, which seems to be in choppy waters.