The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is observing its 48th founding anniversary today, September 1. The party was founded on this day in 1978 by then-President Ziaur Rahman, who served as its founding chairman.

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

In the message, Tarique Rahman said the 48th founding anniversary of the BNP, which he described as Bangladesh’s most popular political party, is a day of joy, enthusiasm and inspiration for the people of Bangladesh, marked by the party’s courage, struggle, sacrifice and achievements.

He said that on a day in 1978, at the open premises of Ramna Botmul in Dhaka, then-President and BNP founder Ziaur Rahman established the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. He described the founding of the BNP as a landmark event in the history of restoring democracy in Bangladesh.

Tarique Rahman said a one-party system, known as BAKSAL, was established on January 25, 1975, restricting freedom of speech, individual liberty and democracy. He said Ziaur Rahman restored democracy after assuming responsibility for governing the country and reinstated the right of banned political parties to engage in politics. The BNP was subsequently founded in response to the needs of the time, paving the way for the renewed development of pluralistic democracy in Bangladesh.

On the occasion of the founding anniversary, Tarique Rahman paid deep respect to Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, the party’s founding chairman. He also respectfully remembered 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 across Bangladesh.

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. Whenever independence, sovereignty and democracy came under threat, he said, BNP leaders, activists, supporters and well-wishers had made sacrifices alongside pro-democracy citizens.

He also paid tribute to BNP leaders and activists at all levels who had sacrificed their lives or sustained injuries in the party’s struggle for democracy and good governance since its establishment.

According to Tarique Rahman, whenever the people of Bangladesh had the opportunity to cast their votes freely in fair and credible elections, they had entrusted the BNP with governing the country. During its various terms in government, he said, the BNP had undertaken several important initiatives to strengthen and institutionalize democracy, including the restoration of the parliamentary system and expansion of women’s education.

He said the BNP had become the country’s most popular political party through its efforts and initiatives aimed at upholding democracy and achieving economic prosperity.

Tarique Rahman said that after the end of what he described as a prolonged 15-year period of fascist rule and exploitation, the people 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 affection by establishing an accountable state. With that objective, he said, the BNP government was working tirelessly to build Bangladesh as a welfare-oriented state.

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

Tarique Rahman said the BNP believes that the pro-democracy people of Bangladesh are the ultimate source of all of the party’s political power. He described the BNP as synonymous with the struggle to build a welfare-oriented, democratic and self-reliant Bangladesh.

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

As part of the programme, the party flag is being hoisted at 6:00am today at the BNP central office in Nayapaltan as well as at party offices across the country.

At 9:00am, BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, central leaders and leaders and activists of the party’s affiliated and associate organisations will offer Fateha and lay floral wreaths at the graves of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia.

A discussion titled “Objectives and Significance of the Founding of the BNP” will be held at 3:00pm on September 5 at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh auditorium. BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will attend the event as the chief guest. Senior BNP leaders and prominent intellectuals will also participate.

The party has also announced a poster publication, tree-planting drives and fish-release programmes to mark the anniversary. BNP Joint Secretary General Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel will lead the fish-release programme, while Joint Secretary General and Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee will lead the tree-planting programme.

In addition, district and metropolitan BNP units and their affiliated units across the country will organise discussion meetings and other programmes at convenient times on September 1.

Remembering Ziaur Rahman’s Role
The BNP has said its founder, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, inspired the nation during the country’s Liberation War and encouraged people from different professions and social groups—including students, teachers, farmers and workers—to participate in the war.

According to the party, Ziaur Rahman assumed responsibility for the state during a critical period on November 7, 1975. After taking charge, he took steps to restore democracy, political rights and people’s freedom of speech and movement, according to the BNP.

The party says Ziaur Rahman founded the BNP with three core principles in mind: protecting the country’s independence and sovereignty and establishing democracy. It says he subsequently pursued policies aimed at moving Bangladesh toward development and increased production.