Dhaka, Dec. 30 -- The passing of Bangaldesh's first woman Prime Minister Begum Khaleed Zia puts the spotlight firmly on her son Tarique Rahman who returned to the country last week after living in exile for the past 17 years. Rahman who has already declared his candidature for the general elections schedules for February next year, is widely seen as a prime ministerial candidate.

Begum Khaleda Zia died in the early morning today while she was undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka at the age of 80.

Accoring to a BNP statement on Facebook, Zia died at around 6 am (local time), shortly after the Fajr prayer.

"Khaleda Zia passed away at around 6:00 am, just after Fajr prayer," the BNP statement read.

"We pray for the eternal ...