In the Flow of Time: Begum Zia and a Poignant, Possibly Final Election

 

In the Flow of Time: Begum Zia and a Poignant, Possibly Final Election

In the history of contemporary Bangladeshi politics, the name Begum Khaleda Zia unfolds an entire era — one marked by struggle, leadership, power, and relentless political rivalry. Yet today, on the eve of the 2025 general election, her presence evokes not just memories, but also a quiet ache — a mix of nostalgia and sorrow that ripples through millions of hearts.

She is, indeed, contesting this election — from three constituencies, no less. But the familiar image of Begum Zia — walking down village paths, clasping hands with the people, braving sun and rain with her characteristic determination — belongs to another time. The years have slowed her down, quietly, inevitably.

In politics, presence itself is power. This time, she will be present not in person, but through her name, her symbol, her legacy. It’s more than a political absence; it’s a portrait of how time consumes even the most formidable figures.

Memories rush back to the 2008 election — that turbulent year after her release from the “1/11” detention. With little time to prepare, she still ran a fierce campaign, standing tall amidst adversity. Begum Zia was the leader of the field — her voice merging with the voices of millions. The BNP, battered and cornered, found strength in her resilience.

Across the political divide, Sheikh Hasina presented a different image — hosting business leaders in the comfort of a five-star hotel, promising bridges, flyovers, and metro rails. To many, that moment hinted at a pre-scripted outcome. Was it truly a contest? Or had the results already been decided?

History has since offered its verdict: the 2008 election was not merely a democratic exercise but an episode of strategic compromise and institutional engineering. General Moeen U Ahmed and his military-backed establishment had already set the direction. In that landscape, Begum Zia stood alone — defiant, brave, but up against a ruthless reality.

Seventeen years have passed since then. The political stage has changed, as have its actors, its tone, and its language. And Begum Zia? She, too, has changed — not only through politics, but through time itself. Age, illness, and medical constraints have slowly tightened their grip on the legendary leader. It’s not just political decay; it’s deeply human and profoundly painful.

For many, this election is a “memory election” — not only for Begum Zia but for the old guard of the BNP. Even Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has hinted that this may be his final campaign. Others too may quietly retreat after this chapter. Thus, this is not merely an election of power; it is one of parting — a generational farewell.

Yet the questions remain. If she wins, will she be able to stand on the stage again, to deliver those firebrand speeches that once electrified the nation? Can her voice still stir the people as before? Perhaps yes, perhaps no — but the nation still waits to hear her words, even once more.

Begum Khaleda Zia is not merely a political figure; she is an institution — one of the heaviest names in Bangladesh’s democratic struggle. She is not just a three-time Prime Minister; she embodies endurance, maternal strength, and the dignity of opposition leadership. People change with time — that’s nature’s law. But history remains. It watches, silently.

When we see her now — slow, frail, yet still holding onto politics — we recall her unyielding strength in 1991, when she defeated a no-confidence motion with unshakable resolve. That Begum Zia was like a storm, like the midday sun, like an unstoppable tide. Today, she is that same tide’s calm — weary, but enduring.

And love? Respect? Memory? — Do these ever age?

The nation still longs to hear her voice — perhaps for the last time, perhaps for a new beginning. But time moves in its own rhythm, caring little for our wishes. Still, one can’t help but wonder how time slips away — reshaping lives, reshaping history. It has transformed Begum Zia, and with her, the politics of Bangladesh.

This election, therefore, is not merely a vote. It is an act of remembrance, of existence, of emotion — and perhaps the beginning of the end of an era. The rest is for time to decide.

We stand at a crossroads — where memory, politics, emotion, and history touch gently. This election is not just an election; it is a possible song of farewell.

We pray, with all our hearts, that Begum Khaleda Zia recovers — that we may hear her voice once again. May this not be a memory of parting, but a story of one more return. 

May Allah grant her health, and may the nation hear her voice again.