Bangladesh Timeline

1972-1975: Sheikh Mujibur Rahman

1975-1981: Zia-ur Rahman in military coup, founds BNP

1982-1990: Hussain Mohammad Ershad in coup

1991-1996: Khaleda Zia in 'free and fair' elections

1996-2001: Sheikh Hasina in 1996 elections

2001-2006: Khaleda Zia in 2001 elections, leading four-party alliance

2006-2009: Caretaker gov't headed by Iajuddin Ahmed

2009-present: Sheikh Hasina wins December 2008 elections (backed by HM Ershad and Janatiya)