BNP marks 48th founding anniversary today

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is observing its 48th founding anniversary today.

On this day in 1978, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman founded the party and served as its founding chairman.

Against the backdrop of the political vacuum created by the establishment of the one-party BAKSAL system in 1975, then-President Ziaur Rahman, one of the sector commanders of the Liberation War and the proclaimer of Bangladesh’s independence, formed a new political party named the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on September 1, 1978, at Ramna Batamul in Dhaka, with the aim of restoring multiparty democracy.

Through various programmes aimed at developing the country and improving people’s livelihoods, BNP founder Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman quickly gained popularity.

His 19-point programme was considered a landmark initiative for building a prosperous Bangladesh.

His concept of Bangladeshi nationalism and various forward-looking programmes further strengthened his popularity among the people.

Ziaur Rahman had inspired the nation during the struggle for independence. He encouraged people from different walks of life—including students, teachers, farmers and workers—to participate in the Liberation War.

He founded the BNP with three core commitments: independence, the protection of sovereignty and democracy. Upholding these principles, he sought to move the country towards development and increased production.

In a message marking the founding anniversary, BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman extended greetings and congratulations to party leaders and activists at all levels, well-wishers and the people of Bangladesh.

He said the 48th founding anniversary of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party—the country’s most popular political party—marked a day of joy, enthusiasm and inspiration for the people of Bangladesh, reflecting the party’s courage, struggle, sacrifice and achievements.

In his message, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said that on a pleasant afternoon on this day in 1978, former President and proclaimer of Bangladesh’s independence Shaheed Ziaur Rahman founded the BNP in the open grounds of Ramna Batamul, at the premises of the Ramna Restaurant in Dhaka.

He described the establishment of the BNP as a landmark event in the history of restoring democracy in Bangladesh.

He said the “cursed” one-party BAKSAL system was established on January 25, 1975, curtailing freedom of speech, individual liberty and democracy. After assuming responsibility for governing the country, President Ziaur Rahman first restored democracy and reinstated the right of banned political parties to engage in politics.

As part of that process, the BNP was established as a new political party in response to the needs of the time, paving the way for the revival of pluralistic democracy in Bangladesh.

On the occasion of the BNP’s founding anniversary, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman paid deep tribute to Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, whom he described as the great proclaimer of independence, a successful statesman and the architect of modern Bangladesh.

He also paid tribute to former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. He said Begum Khaleda Zia, through her charismatic personality and leadership, had taken the BNP to every household in Bangladesh.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said the BNP had played the role of a vigilant guardian not only in establishing democracy and good governance but also in protecting the country’s independence and sovereignty with the people.

Whenever independence, sovereignty and democracy had come under threat, BNP leaders, activists, supporters and well-wishers had sacrificed their lives alongside democracy-loving citizens, he said.

He also paid deep tribute to BNP leaders and activists who had sacrificed their lives or suffered injuries in the party’s struggle to establish democracy and good governance in the country since its founding.

He said that whenever the people had been given the opportunity to vote freely, fairly and without fear, the BNP had been entrusted with governing the country.

During its various terms in office, BNP governments had taken several important initiatives to strengthen and institutionalise democracy, including the restoration of parliamentary democracy and the expansion of women’s education.

He said the BNP had become the country’s most popular political party through its efforts and initiatives to uphold democracy and achieve economic prosperity.

Tarique Rahman said that following the end of a prolonged 15-year period of “fascist rule and exploitation”, the people had once again entrusted the BNP with governing the country through a free, fair and impartial election.

He said the BNP wanted to repay the people’s trust and love by establishing an accountable state, and that the BNP government was working tirelessly to build Bangladesh as a welfare state.

He expressed hope that, while maintaining the people’s trust and confidence, every BNP leader, activist, supporter and well-wisher would continue to play a strong role in serving the country in the days ahead, InshaAllah.

Describing the democracy-loving people of Bangladesh as the source of all the BNP’s political power, he said the BNP’s other name was the struggle to build a welfare-oriented, democratic and self-reliant Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, the BNP has announced a five-day programme to mark its 48th founding anniversary. The programme was announced last Wednesday at a press conference at the BNP’s central office by the party’s acting Secretary General and Prime Minister’s Political Adviser Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.

As part of the programme, party flags were hoisted at 6am today at the BNP’s central office in Naya Paltan and at party offices across the country.

The programme includes a visit at 9am today by BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, Acting Secretary General and other central leaders, as well as leaders of the party’s affiliated and associate organisations and activists at all levels, to the graves of BNP founder chairman Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman Bir Uttam and former Prime Minister and “Mother of Democracy” Begum Khaleda Zia. They will recite the Fatiha and place floral wreaths at the graves.

On September 5 at 3pm, a discussion meeting on the objectives and significance of the founding of the BNP will be held at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh auditorium. BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will attend the event as the chief guest.

Senior party leaders and prominent intellectuals from across the country will also participate. A poster will also be published to mark the anniversary.

The party has also undertaken programmes for tree planting and fish release. BNP Joint Secretary General Habib-Un-Nabi Khan Sohel will lead the fish-release programme, while party Joint Secretary General and Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee will lead the tree-planting programme.

Similarly, BNP district and metropolitan units and their affiliated units across the country are observing the party’s 48th founding anniversary with discussion meetings and other programmes.