A new beginning seems to have been made with the conditional release of Begum Zia by the Bangladeshi Govt due to the COVID-19 outbreak

The COVID-19 outbreak has brought nearly the whole world to a standstill and its impact on geopolitics has grabbed worldwide attention. However, very little consideration has been given to the impact of the pandemic on a country’s internal politics. Amid all the gloom and doom, Bangladesh is the first country in South Asia or perhaps the world, where the spread of the pandemic has had a positive impact on the nation’s politics.

The rivalry between the two major political parties of Bangladesh is legendary and the fact that the ruling Awami League (AL) and the Opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) have no love lost for each other, or even a common meeting ground, is no secret. However, a few days ago, keeping aside political rivalry, the ruling AL Government released the ailing Begum Khaleda Zia, chairperson of the BNP and two-time former Prime Minister from prison on humanitarian grounds. The leader was freed for six months to allow her to undergo urgent medical treatment.

Zia was serving a five-year prison term following her conviction in a case of financial misappropriation related to a charitable organisation named after her husband and former military dictator General Ziaur Rahman. The release of Begum Zia was welcomed by the people of the country and raised new hopes for a transformation of the country’s bickering politics from one that is more issue-based. Begum Zia is 74-years-old and is suffering from multiple chronic ailments like diabetes and arthritis. The BNP had been claiming that her health was deteriorating and had been stressing on the urgency for her release for treatment. Earlier, her bail petition was denied and the BNP’s plea to the Government for her release was also overlooked. Now, presumably, the spread of the Coronavirus has significantly changed the AL Government’s approach on the issue and Begum Zia was released after completing half of her sentence, i.e. two-and-a-half-years.

Analysing the Government’s motive behind the decision to free the incarcerated leader, political observers of the country opine that considering her advanced age, Begum Zia belonged to the most vulnerable group of people who could be affected by the Coronavirus and the Government wanted to avoid any unpleasant situation concerning her. Like other countries, the Coronavirus has spread in Bangladesh, too. There have been 49 confirmed cases and five people have already died. The huge influx of expatriates from various nations has increased the risk factor for the country, hence, the Government’s concern. However, there are conditions attached to Begum Zia’s release and restriction has been put on her travel abroad. Given the strict border controls put in place by most nations after the outbreak of the pandemic and banning of foreigners’ entry in a desperate bid to limit the spread of the Coronavirus, such restrictions by Dhaka hardly make any major difference.

Begum Zia will be confined to her residence in Dhaka and will be treated by Bangladeshi doctors. Given that social distancing is being considered as the most optimal preventive measure against the spread of the contagion, her presence in the country is no cause for worry for the AL Government as her party and supporters cannot derive any mileage out of it in these times of lockdowns.

The release of Begum Zia, however, raised some scepticism about her party’s astuteness in leveraging the situation to rise again politically. Most Bangladeshis are hoping that amid the current situation and its criticality globally and nationally, the political parties of the country will not precipitate any political crisis or unrest and act responsibly. Any effort by the BNP to capitalise on the situation will be closely watched by the common man as well as the Government to prevent any untoward situation in these critical times.

Apart from helping in the Government’s concerted fight against the pandemic, political stability will also contribute in strengthening the country’s relationship with its neighbours, especially India, with which it shares two-thirds of its border. More often than not, the bilateral relations between New Delhi and Dhaka have been a victim of the rivalry between the two political parties. It has been used by the two political parties to criticise each other. Normally, Indo-Bangla ties are perceived to be at their best during the AL’s rule, nevertheless, India has always maintained a cordial working relationship with the BNP regime, too. But it is always a tightrope walk for the mandarins in the Ministry of External Affairs. Political stability in Bangladesh is also a cherished dream of India as it enhances the well-being of the people of the country as this adds to the regional prosperity and security.  

Humanity is passing through the biggest challenge of the century and the fight against Covid-19 demands cooperation of all. Hope, the political parties in Bangladesh will join hands in fighting this crisis and create a new history that will contribute in enhancing the safety and prosperity of their nation. This will also enhance Bangladesh’s global image as the world has started taking notice of it due to its improved and growing economy.

(The writer is Senior Fellow at the Observer Research Foundation. Views expressed are personal)