The death of BNP Chairperson and three-time former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia has cast a shadow of mourning over Bogra. An atmosphere of deep grief prevails among people from all walks of life in Bagbari area of Gabtoli Upazila, the ancestral home of martyred President Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia’s in-laws.
When the news of his death spread early Tuesday morning, a crowd of mourners gathered in Gabtoli and surrounding areas. Party leaders and activists and the general public were present at the district BNP office and Zia’s house. Black flags were hoisted, prayers and prayers were held at the initiative of the district BNP.
Local BNP leaders said that Khaleda Zia’s ties with Bogra were deep, both spiritually and politically. She was particularly attached to the district because of her in-laws’ house and would inquire about local leaders and activists when she came to party programs.
District BNP President Rezaul Karim Badsha said, “Today we lost the mother of democracy.” Acting General Secretary Mosharraf Hossain said that she had to make extreme sacrifices in her life because of her firm stance of not compromising with injustice.
Quran recitation and prayer mahfil have been organized at Zia’s house since morning. It is worth noting that Begum Khaleda Zia was elected as a member of parliament three times from Bogra-7 constituency, which further strengthened her political ties with the people of Bogra.