Political biography on Khaleda Zia launched

The first ever political biography on BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia was launched in the city on Sunday afternoon. 

The launching ceremony of the book – Begum Khaleda Zia: Her Life, Her Story –was held at a city hotel in Gulshan, Dhaka.

The book’s author, senior journalist Mahfuz Ullah said:“Basically, the book tells three-time prime minister Khaleda Zia’s story and attempts to highlight her political struggle.”

Mahfuz Ullah also authored “President Zia of Bangladesh: A Political Biography,” a biography on BNP founder Ziaur Rahman.

He said the book covers life history of Khaleda Zia from her birth to upto 2008.

In the book, the author narrated various incidents Khaleda faced in her long political career and contributions to different movements, politics and the country.

The writer also described some incidents that occurred during the 1/11 regime after the political changeover in 2007.

The author also shed light on the situation which forced a housewife Khaleda to step into the bumpy road of politics.

He added that the book was initially titled “Begum Khaleda Zia: Her Life, Her Struggle.” But after a suggestion from Khaleda’s son, BNP acting chairman in-exile Tarique Rahman, he changed it.

Former diplomat M Anwar Hashim, daily New Age Editor Nurul Kabir, Dhaka University (DU) teachers Prof Laila Nur Islam, Prof Asif Nazrul, Prof AFM Yusuf Haider, and Gonoshasthya Kendra founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury were present, among others.

Prof Laila Nur Islam said Khaleda established herself in BNP central politics through her role during anti-autocratic movement against Ershad.

Prof Asif Nazrul said Khaleda came into politics with popularity gained from the sympathy she received for her deceased husband. But within a very short time, she replaced the sympathy with dignity, pride, and respect.

“If one wants to learn the political culture of the country, they need to read the book,” he added.

New Age Editor Nurul Kabir said the two female leaders – Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina – have been influencing the country’s politics from decision making level for more than 30 years. Their biography should have been made long ago, to preserve the history of politics.

Former prime minister Khaleda has been in old Dhaka Central Jail since February after she was sentenced to five years imprisonment for corruption in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.