A pall of grief has descended on leaders and activists of Sharsha upazila BNP following the death of former prime minister and BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.

On Tuesday (December 30) morning, black flags were hoisted at the Sharsha upazila BNP office, while party flags were kept at half-mast in mourning.

Special prayers and a Khatm-e-Quran were organised seeking eternal peace for Khaleda Zia’s departed soul. Party leaders, activists and children from local orphanages took part in the programme. Many attendees were seen breaking down in tears as they mourned the loss of their longtime leader.

Sharsha upazila BNP President Hasan Zahir said, “Our leader has left us. This grief cannot be expressed in words. We pray to Almighty Allah to grant Begum Khaleda Zia Jannatul Ferdous.”

Nuruazzaman Liton, BNP candidate for Jashore-1 constituency and general secretary of Sharsha upazila BNP, said that the party is observing a seven-day mourning programme as per central directives.

“Black flags were hoisted and party flags were kept at half-mast at the party office this morning. Leaders and activists are also wearing black badges as a mark of respect,” he added.

Upazila BNP adviser Khairuzzaman Madhu said, “Today we have lost our mother. She was the only truly uncompromising leader. We pray to Allah to grant her the highest honour in the hereafter.”

Begum Khaleda Zia passed away at around 6:00am on December 30 while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in the capital.

She had been suffering from multiple complex ailments, including liver and kidney complications, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis and various infections for a long time.

On January 7 this year, she was taken to London for advanced medical treatment. Although her condition showed some improvement initially, her advanced age and chronic illnesses continued to pose serious challenges even after her return to Bangladesh. She was admitted to Evercare Hospital again on November 23.

The nation had hoped for her recovery and return home, but despite all medical efforts, Bangladesh’s first woman prime minister and BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia passed away, leaving the country in deep mourning.