Both the ladies were able to to slither to their lofty acme because of the intrinsic weakness of the two major parties where intra-mural democracy was never nurtured. In fact, it was intentionally blighted (more so in BNP) to an undesirable vacuity. Thus after the unfortunate and untimely departure of Bongo-Bondhu and Ziaur Rahman, for the sole purpose of preventing a rapid entropy, the parties sought out and enthroned the two leaders.

And yes, they made lordly queens!!

And in the mean time, their minions (at home an abroad) stopped working on developing new, younger and more articulated leadership. They stooped steering away from the apparition of their slain leaders. They stopped thinking beyond the pail...

Alas!
In the midst of midgets they are political giants.