Dhaka: Former Bangladesh Prime Minister and Bangladesh Nationalist Party chief Khaleda Zia has said that elections should be held as soon as possible after urgent and short reforms to restore democracy in the country.
The 79-year-old Khaleda Zia, who has been the prime minister of Bangladesh for two terms, said in her online address that the people expect a transparent and fair election so that democracy can be restored in the country.
It may be recalled that she was in prison after being convicted in a corruption case in 2018, but a popular revolution last year led to the end of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government, and Khaleda Zia was released. Hasina, who is now in self-imposed exile in India, is facing several cases, including war crimes.
Khaleda Zia traveled to the UK in January, where she is staying for medical treatment, and this was her first public address in six years. She appealed to party workers to unite and not only lead the political movement but also take charge of the country.
Bangladesh is currently undergoing reforms under the leadership of Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, but Khaleda Zia says that “supporters of the fascist regime are plotting to create chaos in the country, which must be thwarted by popular unity.”
According to political analysts, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) could achieve significant success in the upcoming elections, and a new era in the country’s politics is likely to begin.
