Kolkata, December 30 - West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has expressed her condolences on the passing of Begum Khaleda Zia, the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh. Khaleda Zia, who served as Prime Minister three times, passed away early Tuesday morning at the age of 80 while receiving treatment at a hospital in Dhaka.
Banerjee conveyed her grief in a message shared on X, where she acknowledged Khaleda Zia as a "prominent public leader". "Saddened by the demise of Begum Khaleda Zia, former Prime Minister of Bangladesh and a prominent public leader. I extend my condolences to her family, friends and followers," she wrote. Banerjee also expressed solidarity with those mourning the loss of the veteran stateswoman.
Khaleda Zia, the first female Prime Minister of Bangladesh, played a significant role in the country's return to democracy after a period of military rule. She went on to become a dominant figure in Bangladeshi politics for decades. Her political career and contributions to Bangladesh were widely recognized.
Following the news of Khaleda Zia's death, leaders from various countries and organizations have also expressed their sorrow. Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said he was "deeply saddened" by the passing of Zia, recognizing her lifelong service to Bangladesh as a "lasting legacy" and noting she was a "committed friend of Pakistan". China also conveyed its condolences, reaffirming its commitment to friendly relations with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
Within Bangladesh, BNP leaders have described Khaleda Zia's death as a "great setback" for the party and a "massive loss" for the nation. BNP General Secretary Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir called her "not an ordinary leader" but "the guardian of the whole nation, especially at this juncture of transition to democracy". The party has asked for prayers for her departed soul.
Khaleda Zia's funeral is scheduled to be held tomorrow, and Bangladesh has announced three days of national mourning. Her death marks the end of an era in Bangladeshi politics, leaving behind a complex legacy.
