BNP Chairperson and former three-time prime minister Khaleda Zia remains in a critical condition at Evercare Hospital in the capital, deepening concern and anxiety across the country.
Her deteriorating health has distressed party leaders and activists, prompting BNP to cancel its previously announced “victory torch roadshow” planned to mark the month of victory.
BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi conveyed the decision at a briefing at the party’s central office in Nayapaltan.
“Khaleda Zia’s physical condition has not improved. She remains in the same critical state,” he said.
Rizvi added that there has been no change in her condition. “The medical board has not yet given any advice regarding her treatment abroad. No decision can be made on this matter without the board’s recommendation,” he said.
The 80-year-old leader, who entered politics in the early 1980s after the assassination of her husband and BNP’s founding president Ziaur Rahman, has long been suffering from various health complications, including heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, liver cirrhosis and kidney-related problems. Her condition has remained critical for the past few days.
Earlier, Khaleda returned home on 6 May after four months of advanced treatment, debunking widespread speculation about a so-called “minus-two formula”.
Rizvi said the party had been preparing extensively across Bangladesh, especially in the divisional headquarters, for the road show programme.
The programme was scheduled to begin at the Kalurghat Radio Station, from where former president Ziaur Rahman announced the proclamation of independence.
Starting on 1 December, the road show was expected to travel through different divisions and conclude with a rally.
“The final mass rally was scheduled for 16 December, Victory Day, on Manik Mia Avenue in the capital. However, due to Madam Khaleda Zia’s illness, the programme has been postponed,” Rizvi said.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced the Torch Road Show programme at a briefing on Saturday.
