Khaleda Zia’s...

Hospital sources privately admit that her condition fluctuates between “stable critical” and “high risk,” depending on her internal bleeding episodes and recurring infections.

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Her caregivers note that because of both age and comorbidities, even minor complications can quickly turn serious. BNP leaders claim she requires a specialised liver transplant facility not available in Bangladesh.

Khaleda’s latest deterioration has stirred fears across Bangladesh’s political spectrum about the future of the BNP and its role in the rapidly changing political landscape.

Her condition comes at a time of profound turmoil and transition. Following the 2024 student-led uprising, longtime Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Awami League government were ousted in August 2024, forcing her into self-exile in New Delhi.

The interim government — headed by Nobel-laureate Muhammad Yunus — has pledged to restore democratic institutions and hold national elections by early 2026.

Against this backdrop, Khaleda’s precarious health adds another layer of uncertainty. Her role as the symbolic head of BNP remains large — but without her active participation, and with her long-exiled son Tarique Rahman reportedly unsure of returning to Bangladesh, the opposition’s organisational cohesion faces a stern test.

What Khaleda’s Incapacity — or Possible Death — Could Mean for key Political Forces

BNP: Leadership Vacuum, Emotional Shock, and Possible Fragmentation