There is tremendous turmoil in the politics of Bangladesh before the general elections proposed in February 2026. Sajeeb Wajed, son of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and chief strategist of Awami League, has seriously accused the interim government and chief advisor Professor Mohammad Yunus of weakening democracy. He has said that excluding the country’s largest party from the elections is not a reform, but a deliberate political conspiracy.

Strong opposition to keeping Awami League out of elections
Sajeeb Wazed said that keeping Awami League out of the electoral process is against the basic principles of the democratic system. They allege that the interim government is afraid of holding free and fair elections, hence a strong political party is being deliberately excluded from the field.

Clear stance of the interim government
The interim government of Bangladesh has made it clear that Awami League will not be able to participate in the general elections to be held on 12 February 2026. The government says that the party’s political activities are banned and its registration has been suspended. Chief Advisor’s Press Secretary Shafikul Alam told reporters in Dhaka that the government’s position is completely clear and no consideration is being given to lifting the ban.

Rights of majority voters are being snatched away: Sajeeb
Sajeeb Wajed says that Awami League is not a small party, rather it has the support of about 40 to 60 percent of the voters of the country. In such a situation, keeping the party out of the elections means that crores of people are being deprived of their voting rights. He wrote on social media platform

How the matter reached here, know the entire incident
In the year 2024, Sheikh Hasina’s government fell after the student movement and political instability. After this, an interim government was formed under the leadership of Nobel laureate Mohammad Yunus. In May 2025, the government banned the activities of Awami League under the Anti-Terrorism Act. Along with this, the Election Commission also suspended the registration of the party. The government claims that the Awami League is responsible for the violence during the 2024 protests, while Sajeeb Wajed is calling it an act of political vendetta.

Sajeeb’s serious allegations against Yunus government
Sajeeb Wajed has made many serious allegations against the interim government. He said that the Yunus government is afraid of fair elections, the voting rights of half the population are being taken away by excluding the largest party and punishment is being given on the basis of political support. He says that an election in which the majority of voters are not included cannot be democratic.

Why increased concern at international level
International concern has also started emerging on this entire issue. Five US MPs have written a letter questioning this decision and said that banning an entire party affects the rights of voters. However, the interim government claims that it is not aware of this letter and the ban has been imposed completely as per the law.

Questions are being raised on the validity of the elections
Political analysts believe that if the ban on Awami League is not lifted before the elections, then questions may be raised at the international level on the legitimacy of the next government. According to experts, elections without Awami League cannot be called inclusive, because the party has won many elections continuously and its grassroots hold is still considered strong.

Famous Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen, living in exile in London, has strongly criticized former Bangladesh Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia after her death on Tuesday (December 30, 2025). Taslima accused Khaleda Zia of taking a stand against freedom of expression and banning many books during her rule. Taslima even said about Khaleda Zia that she had supported Jihadis during her rule.

Taslima Nasreen shared a post on X, in which she criticized Khaleda Zia through sharp words. He also raised the question whether after the death of Khaleda Zia, her 31-year long exile sentence will end and whether the ban will be lifted on those books which were banned during her rule. Taslima also shared the list of some books, which she claimed were banned by Khaleda Zia. This includes Lajja, Utal Hawa, Ka and Doj Dark Days.

What did Taslima Nasreen say in the social media post?

Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen said, ‘Khalida Zia is dead. His age was 80 years. She became the party chief from a housewife and then also remained the Prime Minister of the country for 10 years. He lived a successful and long life. Sheikh Hasina kept him in jail for two years, apart from that I don’t think he ever faced much trouble after 1981. Everyone struggles with diseases, she also went through it.

Khaleda Zia has passed away. She was 80 years old. From a housewife she became a party chief, and served as the country’s prime minister for ten years. She lived a successful life—a long life. Sheikh Hasina kept her in jail for two years; apart from that period, I don’t think she…

— taslima nasreen (@taslimanasreen) December 30, 2025

She said, ‘I am wondering whether with his death the ban on all the books which he had banned will not be lifted? They should be removed. They banned Meri Lajja in 1993. Banned on Utal Hawa in 2002, Ka in 2003 and Do Dark Days in 2004. When Khaleda Zia was alive, she did not take any step in favor of freedom of expression by removing the ban on these books. If his death now becomes a reason to protect freedom of expression, so be it.

Taslima mentioned the actions taken against her

During this, Taslima Nasreen, while referring to the cases and legal actions registered against her during the reign of Khaleda Zia, said, ‘In the year 1994, while supporting the Jihadis, she filed a case of hurting religious sentiments against a secular, humanist, familist and free-thinking writer.’ Describing herself, she said that Khaleda Zia issued an arrest warrant against that writer. After this, he wrongly expelled that writer, i.e. Taslima Nasreen, from her own country.

He said, ‘During his rule he did not allow me to return to my home, to my country. Will his death put an end to my 31-year-long exile? Or will the unjust rulers continue to commit injustice in this manner, one after the other, generation after generation?’

Also read: Who will attend the funeral of former Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia from India? name revealed

Former Prime Minister of Bangladesh and President of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Khaleda Zia has passed away. The BNP president breathed his last in the hospital on Tuesday (December 30, 2025). At the same time, after his death, Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar will visit Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka on Wednesday (December 31, 2025).

Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar will represent the Government of India and the people of the country in the last journey of Khaleda Zia.

PM Modi expressed condolences on the demise of Khaleda Zia

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed condolences on the demise of former Bangladesh PM Begum Khaleda Zia. He shared a post on social media platform X on Tuesday (December 30, 2025). In the post, PM Modi also shared pictures of his meeting with Khaleda Zia in 2015.

Deeply saddened to learn about the passing away of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia in Dhaka.

Our sincere condolences to her family and all the people of Bangladesh. May the Almighty grant her family the fortitude to bear this tragic loss.

As the… pic.twitter.com/BLg6K52vak

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 30, 2025

He wrote in his post, ‘Extremely saddened to know the news of the demise of former Bangladesh Prime Minister and BNP President Begum Khaleda Zia in Dhaka. We express our deepest condolences to his bereaved family and all the people of Bangladesh. May God give his family the strength to bear this irreparable loss.

His perspective will continue to guide our cooperation – PM Modi

He further said, ‘As the first woman Prime Minister of Bangladesh, her important contribution in the development of the country and strengthening India-Bangladesh relations will always be remembered. I remember my meeting with him in Dhaka in 2015. We hope that his vision and legacy will continue to guide our mutual cooperation. May God grant peace to his soul.

Khaleda Zia was suffering from heart and lung disease

Actually, the first woman Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Begum Khaleda Zia was suffering from heart and lung related diseases. For this reason, Khaleda Zia was admitted to a private hospital last month on November 23, 2025. After this his health continued to fluctuate. In her last days, she was also suffering from pneumonia and remained under the strict supervision of doctors for about 36 days. During this time his condition remained critical.

Also read: Former minister of Bangladesh said on the death of Khaleda Zia – Despite staunch political enmity, Sheikh Hasina…

Former Bangladesh Minister Mohibul Choudhary considered former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia as a wise and dynamic leader. He said that today when the interference of fundamentalists has increased in the power of Bangladesh, Zia’s absence will definitely be missed in the times to come.

In an exclusive conversation with IANS on Tuesday (December 30, 2025), the former minister called Zia the ‘soft voice of the right wing’. Chaudhary, leader of Bangladesh Awami League and close to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, expressed his views on Zia’s tenure ranging from women’s upliftment to her understanding of geopolitics.

Question: How do you view the demise of Begum Khaleda Zia?
Mohibul Chaudhary: According to me, Begum Khaleda Zia was the softest voice among the right-wing leaders of Bangladesh. When she was leading right-wing politics, she understood well the limitations of geopolitics, relations between the two countries and fundamentalist thinking in governance. Despite alliances with parties like Jamaat-e-Islami, she managed to control and rein in the radicals, thereby saving Bangladesh from becoming an institutional theocracy. The impact of his departure will be greatly felt on the political ecosystem of Bangladesh, especially at a time when the influence of fundamentalists is increasing.

Question: How will future generations remember his political legacy?
Mohibul Chaudhary: Many of today’s youth may not fully remember his first term as prime minister, which took place during the difficult transition from military rule to democracy in 1991. Despite poverty, natural disasters, and political opposition, she kept the economy running and led the country toward democratic consolidation. He prioritized women’s empowerment, ensured girls’ access to education and healthcare, and did not compromise on basic welfare rights even while forming alliances with religion-based parties. She will be remembered as a strong but practical leader who believed in democratic balance.

Question: What role did he play in the current political environment of Bangladesh?
Mohibul Chaudhary: At a time when Bangladesh is facing an existential political challenge, his experience, age and political understanding could have helped in bringing about a rapprochement between the two major political streams—BNP and Awami League. His absence has made reconciliation more difficult, but many people still hope that the era of political dialogue will continue in its original spirit.

Question: How do you see Sheikh Hasina’s approach towards Khaleda Zia?
Mohibul Chaudhary: Despite political hostility and legal challenges, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina treated Khaleda Zia with humanity. Hasina ensured that she had access to state-of-the-art health facilities, including treatment by foreign doctors. Khaleda Zia’s health had deteriorated after Sheikh Hasina’s departure, but due to Sheikh Hasina’s earlier decisions, her life was prolonged through necessary medical treatment.

Question: How were Begum Khaleda Zia’s relations with India?
Mohibul Chaudhary: His political alliances sometimes complicated India-Bangladesh relations, and some in his government took damaging actions, particularly in the case of insurgents in India’s Northeast. However, Khaleda Zia herself understood the geopolitical reality of Bangladesh—that stable relations with India were essential for economic and regional stability. Whenever possible, he himself worked to facilitate relations and in 2015 contacted the Indian leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to seek cooperation and political engagement. She was a realist in foreign policy and mutual relations.

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Another Hindu youth murdered in Bangladesh, Muslim friend opened fire, third incident in 15 days

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia will be laid to rest on Wednesday (December 31, 2025) and will be buried next to the grave of her husband and former President Ziaur Rahman. The interim government gave this information on Tuesday.

Zia, the long-time chief of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and three-time Prime Minister, died in Dhaka in the morning after prolonged illness. She was 80 years old. News portal ‘bdnews24.com’ quoted legal advisor Asif Nazrul as saying that Jiah’s last rites will be held at Manik Mian Avenue after Johar prayers on Wednesday.

Nazrul told reporters after a special meeting of the advisory council of the interim government at the state guest house in Jamuna that Zia would later be buried with full state honors at the Zia Garden in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka, next to the grave of her husband, former President and BNP founder Ziaur Rahman.

BNP General Secretary Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir attended the meeting as a special invitee. Earlier, Chief Advisor Mohammad Yunus, while addressing the nation, announced three days of state mourning and one day of general holiday. Mohammad Yunus, in a televised address to the nation, urged people to maintain restraint and law and order.

He said, ‘I declare three days of state mourning on the demise of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia and one day holiday on the day of her cremation tomorrow.’ He said, ‘I know that you all are very sad at this time. I hope you will be patient during this period of mourning and cooperate with all concerned involved in completing all the formalities including his Namaz-e-Janaza. Mohammad Yunus said that the government will provide all kinds of support in the last rites.

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Khaleda Zia Death: Son Tariq Rehman became emotional on the death of former Bangladesh PM mother Khaleda Zia, wrote- ‘Call of Allah…’

Khaleda Zia, who became the first woman Prime Minister of Bangladesh in 1991, died on Tuesday (30 December) at the age of 80 after a prolonged illness. Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chief Khaleda Zia was one of the two women who dominated Bangladeshi politics for four decades. The second woman is Sheikh Hasina, who has been the Prime Minister of Bangladesh 5 times. In August 2024, she had to flee power amid violent student protests and has been living in India since then.

Awami League President Sheikh Hasina has also expressed condolences on the demise of Khaleda Zia. She said in a post, ‘I express my deep condolences on the demise of BNP President and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. She will always be remembered for her role as the first woman Prime Minister of Bangladesh and in the struggle to establish democracy. I express my heartfelt condolences to his son Tariq Rehman and his bereaved family members.

political rivalry of begums
Since the 1980s, Bangladesh politics has revolved around Zia and Hasina. The political enmity between the two is well known, which is called the battle of begums. This is a respectable name used for a powerful woman. The political rivalry between the two encouraged street violence in Bangladesh, paralyzed the governance system and also hollowed out democratic politics from within.

Story related to the murder of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
The roots of the enmity between the two Begums go back to 1975, when Bangladesh’s founding father and Awami League chief Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family members were assassinated in a coup. Three months later, Zia’s husband Ziaur Rahman (who was the Deputy Chief of Army Staff at the time) effectively took control of the country and became President of Bangladesh in 1977.

How Begum Khaleda became the first PM
After the assassination of Ziaur Rehman in 1981, Zia and Hasina together launched a mass movement for democracy and ousted military ruler Hussain Mohammad Ershad from power in 1990. Jiya and Haseena’s friendship did not last long. The first free elections were held in Bangladesh in 1991. Zia won an unexpected victory over Hasina by getting the support of the country’s largest Islamic party, Jamaat-e-Islami. For this reason Khaleda became the first woman Prime Minister of Bangladesh.

Hasina was attacked with a grenade!
Sheikh Hasina defeated Zia in the 1996 general elections, but after 5 years Zia returned to power with a huge majority. In 2004, Hasina’s rally was attacked with a grenade, but Hasina survived. Zia’s government was blamed for this attack.

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Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has expressed grief over the demise of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) President Begum Khaleda Zia. He has described Khaleda Zia’s demise as a big loss for BNP and the country’s politics. Awami League has shared Sheikh Hasina’s post on social media platform X.

Sheikh Hasina was quoted as saying in the post, ‘I express my deepest condolences on the demise of former Prime Minister of Bangladesh and BNP President Begum Khaleda Zia. As the first woman Prime Minister of Bangladesh, her struggle for the establishment of democracy and her significant contribution towards the country will always be remembered. His departure is a big loss for Bangladesh politics and the leadership of BNP.

BNP informed about the death of Khaleda Zia on Tuesday (December 30, 2025). According to the party, Khaleda Zia died at around 6 in the morning. She was suffering from lung and heart disease for a long time and at the age of 80, she said goodbye to the world.

Khaleda Zia was the first woman Prime Minister of Bangladesh and served as PM twice. She first became Prime Minister in 1991 and completed her five-year tenure till 1996. For the second time she remained PM from 2001 to 2006. At the same time, Sheikh Hasina became Prime Minister five times and had to leave the post after the coup last year. Due to fierce protests in the country, she had to leave Bangladesh and resigned and came to India.

Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia are two important faces of Bangladesh politics, between whom there was bitter political enmity for decades. In Bangladesh politics it is also called Battle of Begums. Both of them were seen fighting together against dictatorship, but the seat of power made them their staunch opponents. Khaleda Zia is also credited with replacing the presidential system with a parliamentary system in Bangladesh through a referendum, which resulted in administrative power being vested in the Prime Minister.

Whenever Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina were Prime Ministers, differences were seen in the foreign policies of both. Especially regarding India. During Khaleda Zia’s tenure, China and Pakistan were given more importance, whereas during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure as Prime Minister, India remained closer to Bangladesh.

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Khaleda Zia’s love for PAK, who sowed the seeds of hatred against India, refused to meet Pranab da

Former Bangladesh PM Begum Khaleda Zia will contest the 13th National Parliament elections. At present his condition is bad and he is undergoing treatment in the hospital. Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has filed nomination papers on his behalf from Bogra-7 constituency.

Where will Khaleda Zia contest elections from?

Dhaka Tribune reported that the nomination paper for Bogra-7 seat was submitted by Bangladesh Nationalist Party President Khaleda Zia on Monday (29 December 2025). Party Chief’s advisor Helaluzzaman Talukdar Lalu filed nomination papers in the office of Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer Taufiqur Rehman at around 3:00 pm.

Khaleda Zia, contesting from Bogra-7 seat, was represented by party leaders including Shahjahanpur Upazila BNP President Inamul Haq Shaheen and Gabtoli Upazila BNP General Secretary Inamul Haq Natoon.

Bogra-7 seat has special importance for BNP

Helaluzzaman Talukdar Lalu said that Bogra-7 seat has historical significance for BNP, this seat has been the home of party founder Ziaur Rehman, Khaleda Zia had won this seat for the first time in the 1991 national parliamentary elections and had also won here in 1996 and 2001.

According to Prothom Alo media outlet, Dhaka South City BNP convenor and Khaleda Zia’s election coordinator Munshi Rafiqul Alam, also known as Majnu, also filed his nomination as BNP candidate for the same constituency.

‘If you are not able to contest the elections at the last moment, then another candidate will contest’

Party vice president Abdul Awal Mintu, who came to submit the nomination of Khaleda Zia, said that a second candidate has been arranged for this constituency. He said, ‘Our leader is ill, if she is unable to contest the elections at the last moment, then another candidate will contest. However, even if Khaleda Zia is not in the field, the campaign is continuing on her behalf.

Earlier, on the afternoon of December 21, BNP leaders under the leadership of Central Executive Committee member Abu Taleb had collected nomination forms on behalf of Khaleda Zia for Feni-1 constituency.

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Along with the general elections, a referendum will also be held in Bangladesh on 12 February 2026. The last date for filing nomination papers is December 29, 2025 and the scrutiny of nomination papers will take place between December 30 and January 30. Elections are to be held on 300 seats here. After the overthrow of Sheikh Hasina on August 5, 2024, an interim government is running in Bangladesh under the leadership of Mohammad Yunus.

Radical forces are a threat to the future of Bangladesh

The interim government of Mohammad Yunus has taken more than one and a half years to conduct general elections in Bangladesh. However, the situation has still not improved in Bangladesh. Every day there are reports of violence, arson and atrocities on Hindus. At present, law and order remains the biggest challenge in the neighboring country. Radical forces are establishing their roots across the country. These fundamentalist forces are emerging as a threat to the future elections of Bangladesh.

In the year 2024, when there was a violent movement against Sheikh Hasina in Bangladesh, she had to leave the country. Meanwhile, the students who were involved in this movement together formed a political party, National Citizen Party (NCP), but now when the elections are approaching, there is a strong discussion about the NCP party joining hands with the fundamentalist ideology Jamaat-e-Islami. Hurt by this decision, many NCP leaders are leaving the party and opposing this alliance.

A wave of resignations in NCP, a party formed out of student movement

The views of Jamaat and NCP are very different. The thinking of Jamaat is very different from the reforms announced by NCP during the student movement. At present, Naheed Islam is the convener of NCP, on whom most questions are being raised. In Bangladesh, Naheed is being accused of carrying forward the agenda of Jamaat-e-Islami. This is the reason why today NCP’s Mahfooz Alam has also announced to leave the party.

Party’s Joint Secretary Mir Irshadul has also announced his resignation. Till now, more than 30 leaders are leaving the party. Because of this, it is also being discussed that what was the real objective of the student movement that took place last year? Was the only objective of that movement to remove Sheikh Hasina from power? Did the leaders associated with NCP deceive the people of Bangladesh? These questions are circulating in the political atmosphere of Bangladesh.

However, seat sharing could also be a major reason behind NCP joining hands with Jamaat. If NCP had joined hands with Khaleda Zia’s party BNP, it would have got very less seats and with Jamaat, it could have contested more seats, for which NCP seems to be abandoning its issues.

BNP will be the biggest party in Bangladesh elections

Experts in Dhaka believe that BNP i.e. Bangladesh Nationalist Party can become the largest party in these elections. This party of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia is considered the biggest political enemy of Sheikh Hasina. Khaleda Zia is currently ill and admitted in the hospital. Khaleda’s son Tariq Rahman has returned to Bangladesh after 17 years and is handling the party’s election campaign. This time in the general elections he himself is trying his luck from 2 seats.

On the other hand, Jamaat-e-Islami is also fielding its candidates in these elections. Sheikh Hasina had banned this party because Jamaat is considered a party that supports fundamentalism. This party is led by Shafiqur Rehman and was also a part of the coalition in the BNP government between 2001-06.

Overall, mainly only 3 parties are visible on a large scale in the electoral arena in Bangladesh. However, Bangladesh’s largest party, Awami League, is banned from participating in the electoral process. Awami League is Sheikh Hasina’s party and Sheikh Hasina had left the country after the coup, but big questions are being raised on the ban on Sheikh Hasina’s party Awami League in the electoral process of Bangladesh. Many international experts believe that without Awami League, the elections in Bangladesh are being considered fixed.

Mohammad Yunus silent on attacks on Hindus

At the same time, the challenge before Bangladesh is to conduct peaceful elections, because fundamentalist forces are targeting common Hindus in Bangladesh. Questions are also being raised on the silence of Mohammad Yunus. Recently, Mohammad Yunus has met the High Commissioner of Pakistan in Bangladesh, after which questions are being raised on the intentions of Yunus.

Along with the elections, referendum is also to be held in Bangladesh on 12th February, which means voting will take place twice in a day. Different colored ballot papers will be used for both of these. For parliamentary elections, black colored ballot paper will be used on white paper, whereas for referendum, colored ballot paper will be used. A total of 42,761 polling centers have been built in Bangladesh, in which there will be 2,44,739 booths.

Voting time has been kept from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm. 12,76,12,384 voters will cast their votes in the general elections to be held in the year 2026. Which includes approximately 6,47,60,382 male voters and 6,28,50,772 female voters. About 1,230 transgender voters are also included. After the voting is over, counting of votes will start.

Gobinda Chandra Pramanik: Amidst the continuous atrocities on minorities in Bangladesh, a Hindu leader Gobind Chandra Pramanik is trying to win the public trust from the parliamentary seat of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the upcoming national elections.

General Secretary of the Central Committee of Bangladesh Jatiya Hindu Mohajote and senior advocate Gobind Chandra Pramanik is preparing to file nomination as an independent candidate from Gopalganj 3 (Kotalipada-Tungipada) seat in the elections to be held on February 12.

Nomination will be done on 28th December

According to the report of The Daily Star, he will file his nomination papers on December 28. Gobind Chandra Pramanik says that neither he has any connection with any political party nor has he ever been active in party politics. He said, “MPs elected from political parties are often unable to raise the problems of common people due to party discipline. I want to break this limitation and become the voice of the people.”

Other candidates for Hasina’s seat
Other prominent candidates for Hasina’s seat include BNP’s SM Jilani, National Citizen Party (NCP)’s Ariful Dariya, Jamaat-e-Islami’s MM Rezaul Karim, Gana Adhikar Parishad’s Abul Bashar, Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s Maroof Sheikh, National People’s Party’s Sheikh Salauddin, Khilafat Majlis’s Oli Ahmed, and independent candidates Mohammad Habibur Rahman and Mohammad Anwar Hussain.

Increase in violence against minorities

After the departure of Sheikh Hasina last year, there was a power vacuum in Bangladesh, which radical groups took advantage of. This was followed by a surge in violence against minorities in Bangladesh, including Hindu, Christian, Sufi and Ahmadiyya Muslim communities. These groups sought to justify attacks on minorities by exploiting rising anti-India sentiment and pushing a radical Islamic agenda under the interim government led by Mohammad Yunus. At a meeting organized by the Minority Unity Front outside Dhaka’s Jatiya Press Club, minority leaders said inadequate investigation and lack of justice had created an atmosphere of fear and distrust in the country.