Bangladesh's First Woman PM Khaleda Zia Dies At 80; Son Tarique Rahman Returns To Lead BNP

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia has died at the age of 80 after a prolonged illness. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson passed away at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka, where she had been on ventilator support since December 11. Her death comes just days after her son, Tarique Rahman, returned to Bangladesh on December 25 after 17 years in exile to lead the party ahead of the February elections. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former PM Sheikh Hasina have expressed their condolences. The report examines the political vacuum left by her demise and the implications for the upcoming polls.