Battling Begums Era Ends: Bangladesh Eyes Male PM After 30 Years

• Khaleda Zia's death and Sheikh Hasina's exile mark the end of Bangladesh's 30-year era of female prime ministers.
• The intense rivalry between Zia and Hasina, known as the 'Battling Begums', dominated and shaped Bangladesh's politics for three decades.
• Their political careers were fueled by personal tragedies, leading to a cycle of vendetta and turbulent democracy.
• Zia's son, Tarique Rahman, is now positioned as the likely prime ministerial candidate for BNP, signaling a potential male successor.
• Bangladesh faces a critical juncture: moving beyond personality and inheritance-driven politics or simply replacing the 'Begums with their bloodlines'.

Why It Matters: Bangladesh's political landscape shifts dramatically as the 'Battling Begums' era concludes, paving the way for a potential male PM.