In Bangladesh, a nation where women have wielded power as prime ministers for decades, the political stage is set for a potential upheaval.

As the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) grapples with a leadership void, all eyes turn to Dr Zubaida Rahman and Syeda Shamila Rahman, daughters-in-law of the ailing BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.

With Khaleda’s return from London on May 5, 2025, after four months of medical treatment, speculation swirls: could these women, bound by family legacy and propelled by circumstance, emerge as the new faces of the BNP?

In a country where dynasties and crises often birth female leaders, their rise could reshape the political landscape.

A legacy forged by women

Since 1971, Bangladesh has entrusted women with its highest offices, with female prime ministers leading eight of the 12 parties that triumphed in national elections.

Khaleda Zia, BNP’s indomitable leader, served as prime minister three times (1991–1996, 1996, and 2001–2006) and as opposition leader, her fiery resolve shaping the party’s identity. Now 79, her health –ravaged by a 2018–2020 imprisonment and ailments like liver cirrhosis and heart disease – has side-lined her.

Her eldest son, Tarique Rahman, the party’s acting chairman, remains in London, exiled since 2008 and recently acquitted in major cases. His return, though anticipated after the Awami League’s fall on August 5, 2024, remains shrouded in uncertainty.

Into this vacuum step Zubaida and Shamila, their quiet presence igniting intrigue. South Asia’s history –Indira Gandhi, Benazir Bhutto, Sirimavo Bandaranaike – shows women rising in crises, often carrying family legacies.

Bangladesh, where Khaleda herself transformed from a homemaker to a political titan after Ziaur Rahman’s 1981 assassination, is no stranger to this narrative.

Could her daughters-in-law follow suit?

Zubaida Rahman: The educated enigma

Dr Zubaida Rahman, Tarique’s wife, is a figure of quiet gravitas. Born into Sylhet’s political elite, she is the daughter of Rear Admiral Mahbub Ali Khan, navy chief under Ziaur Rahman, and niece of General MAG Osmani, the commander-in-chief of Bangladesh’s war of independence.

A physician by profession, Zubaida’s career was derailed in 2008 when the Directorate General of Health Services dismissed her for overstaying educational leave in London. For 17 years, she has lived in relative obscurity, appearing only at family events like her father’s death anniversary or Ziaur Rahman Foundation programmes.

Yet, Zubaida’s “clean image” and education – a medical degree and a master’s in public health – make her a compelling prospect. When Khaleda travelled to London in January 2025 for treatment, Zubaida emerged as her devoted caregiver, rekindling political chatter.

“She’s not absent; she’s preparing,” a senior BNP leader told Jago News, suggesting her time in London was a strategic retreat, honing her political acumen. Party workers envision her as a modern, genteel leader, capable of appealing to Bangladesh’s youth, who crave credible, educated voices.

But Zubaida’s reticence is a hurdle. She has never publicly embraced politics, and her prolonged absence fuels scepticism. Critics question whether she can navigate BNP’s fractious ranks, long dominated by male veterans. Still, her lineage and proximity to Khaleda position her as a potential heir, especially if Tarique’s exile persists.

Syeda Shamila Rahman: The silent symbol

Syeda Shamila Rahman, widow of Khaleda’s younger son Arafat Rahman, is a more elusive figure. Mother to two daughters, Shamila has shunned the limelight, her loyalty to the Zia family expressed through private devotion. After Arafat’s death in 2015, she became a pillar for Khaleda, her sacrifices –raising her children alone while supporting her mother-in-law – earning her quiet reverence. Unlike Zubaida, Shamila lacks a public profile, but her emotional weight within the family lends her latent political capital.

BNP insiders speculate about her role. “Her credibility and sacrifice could elevate her,” one source noted.

Yet, Shamila’s backdoor presence – she’s rarely seen at party events – suggests she’s more a symbol of familial unity than a strategic leader. Could her quiet strength translate into political clout, or will she remain a supportive shadow?

BNP’s leadership crisis

BNP stands at a crossroads. Khaleda’s incapacity and Tarique’s absence have exposed vulnerabilities. Senior leaders like Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir have struggled to unify the party, with internal rifts and electoral losses (notably in 2014 and 2018) weakening its clout.

The August 2024 uprising, which toppled the Awami League, has given BNP a chance to consolidate, but the party needs a galvanising figure to capitalise on public discontent.

The Zia family’s dynastic pull remains potent. Khaleda’s legacy as a three-time prime minister and Tarique’s role as Ziaur’s heir keep the family central. Yet, Tarique’s legal battles and exile – coupled with allegations of corruption, despite recent acquittals – alienate some supporters. Zubaida and Shamila, untainted by such baggage, offer a fresh start, but their lack of political experience raises questions about their readiness.

A dynasty’s new chapter?

Khaleda’s return, aboard a Qatar royal air ambulance with Zubaida and Shamila, is a political spectacle. BNP has planned a grand reception, with supporters lining Dhaka’s streets and security arrangements highlighting the women’s prominence. A letter to the Inspector General of Police flagged Zubaida’s safety, citing “threats to her life” as Tarique’s wife, hinting at her elevated status.

Political rivals claim Tarique is using Zubaida as a “human shield” to test Bangladesh’s volatile waters, a charge BNP dismisses as “baseless.”

Party voices are cautiously optimistic. “It’s a family decision,” said Advocate Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal. “Khaleda entered politics unexpectedly; they could too. Activists are eager.”

Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed confirmed security discussions, teasing “more to come.”

But scepticism lingers. Journalist Mohiuddin Khan Mohan warns that their rise risks mirroring the dynastic critiques levelled at Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League. “Tarique is Zia’s heir; some won’t accept substitutes,” he said.

Amar Bangladesh Party Chairman Mujibur Rahman Monju sees potential, citing Zubaida’s education and Shamila’s caregiving as assets. “If a leadership vacuum emerges, they could fill it,” he told Jago News. Grassroots supporters, particularly women, view their potential ascent as a nod to Bangladesh’s tradition of female leadership in crises.

A South Asian echo

South Asia’s political tapestry is woven with women who rose from family tragedies – Indira after Nehru, Benazir after Bhutto. Khaleda herself embodied this, leading BNP after Ziaur’s assassination. Zubaida and Shamila, carrying the Zia name, could follow this path, their clean images offering a counterpoint to Bangladesh’s polarised politics. But the BNP’s conservative base and patriarchal structures pose challenges, and their untested mettle raises doubts about their ability to navigate a volatile landscape.

As Khaleda lands, the nation watches. Will Zubaida and Shamila remain dutiful daughters-in-law, or will they seize the mantle, writing a new chapter in Bangladesh’s storied saga of women in power? Their next moves could redefine not just BNP, but the very soul of Bangladeshi politics.