Former Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia (ANI file photo)
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Tuesday expressed its gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi after he conveyed concern and extended good wishes to former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who remains in a critical condition. Zia, 80, a long-time rival of Bangladesh’s longest-serving leader Sheikh Hasina, has been placed on ventilation as her health deteriorates.In a post on X, the BNP wrote: “BNP expresses its sincere gratitude to the Honourable Prime Minister of India, for his thoughtful message and kind wishes for the speedy recovery of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.” The party added, “BNP deeply appreciates this gesture of goodwill and the expression of readiness to extend support.” A day earlier, PM Modi had publicly expressed concern over the former leader’s condition. In his message on X, he wrote: “Deeply concerned to learn about the health of Begum Khaleda Zia, who has contributed to Bangladesh’s public life for many years.” He added, “Our sincere prayers and best wishes for her speedy recovery. India stands ready to extend all possible support in whatever way we can.” Zia was admitted to Dhaka’s Evercare Hospital on November 23 with a lung infection and is being treated in the Coronary Care Unit under the supervision of a team of local and foreign specialists. According to BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, her condition is “very critical.”Bangladesh’s interim government has also shown concern. Chief adviser Muhammad Yunus sent adviser Asif Nazrul to Evercare Hospital on Friday night to assess her condition.Khaleda Zia has long suffered from multiple ailments, including heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, liver cirrhosis, and kidney complications. She travelled to London on January 8 for advanced medical care and underwent 17 days of treatment at the London Clinic before continuing her recovery at her son Tarique Rahman’s residence under the supervision of specialist doctors Professor Patrick Kennedy and Professor Jennifer Cross. She returned to Bangladesh on May 6 after completing her treatment in the UK.Begum Khaleda Zia, a dominant figure in Bangladesh’s politics, served as the country’s first woman Prime Minister, holding office from 1991 to 1996 and again from 2001 to 2006. She is the widow of former President and army commander Ziaur Rahman.
