Rashed Khan, former general secretary of Gana Odhikar Parishad and BNP-nominated candidate for Jhenaidah-4, remarked that former prime minister Sheikh Hasina cannot in any way evade responsibility for the death of BNP Chairperson and former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia.
He made the comments on Tuesday in front of journalists after leaving Evercare Hospital in the capital.
Rashed Khan said: “Begum Khaleda Zia left us after falling ill. She has passed away, and Sheikh Hasina cannot escape accountability for this. The Awami League is a party steeped in wrongdoing. It has consistently oppressed the people.”
He further said: “The Awami League, driven by envy of Begum Khaleda Zia’s popularity and acceptance, kept her incarcerated for a prolonged period during its 16-year tenure in power. During this time, she endured both physical and mental abuse. We witnessed a healthy leader enter prison, and yet when she was released following the student and public uprising on August 5, she had to return in a wheelchair. This was entirely unexpected. We believe that a leader of her stature cannot be replaced.”
Rashed Khan added: “The entire nation of Bangladesh is in mourning. We had hoped that she would remain among us until justice was served against the murderer Sheikh Hasina, who has fled to Delhi. There may be none to shed tears for her in her absence, but today, Bangladesh mourns the loss of Begum Khaleda Zia. The nation has come to a standstill, and every household grieves.”
He urged people to pray for her, saying: “She was a symbol of the democratic movement and taught us to resist authoritarianism. Her journey from a housewife to an internationally recognized leader is rare and remarkable. We are proud to have had such a leader among us.”
It may be noted that Begum Khaleda Zia, known in politics as an unwavering leader, passed away in the early hours of Tuesday at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka.
Her demise marks not only the end of a significant chapter in politics but also the close of an era. She was a resolute and steadfast leader in the struggle to uphold democracy, national sovereignty, and the rights of the people. Her passing leaves the political arena without one of its most powerful and influential voices.
