, Dec. 31 -- e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher on Tuesday said former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia was the most popular leader Bangladesh has ever seen.

"If we make an assessment up to this moment, Begum Khaleda Zia was the most popular leader in Bangladesh. Today, the entire nation is united, without any question, in mourning her and paying respect," he told reporters.

Taher made the remarks around 7:45pm in front of the BNP Chairperson's political office in Gulshan, after signing the condolence book opened there in memory of Khaleda Zia.

He said Khaleda Zia was an uncompromising leader in the struggle to establish people's rights. "She proved this through every step of her political life. She was very patriotic ...