47th Founding Anniversary Today: BNP once again on path to lead nation
Reza Mahmud :
In its 47 years of glorious journey often marred by internal and external conspiracies, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the country’s largest political party, is once again on a shining path to lead the nation through the upcoming general election.
Amid much enthusiasm and fanfare, the BNP will celebrate its 47th founding anniversary across the country on Monday (today) observing a series of programmes.
Experts as well the party leaders said the BNP is the only major political party which has been struggling for long to serve the nation.
The party leaders said BNP has no master beyond the country’s boundary like the ousted ruling party Awami League.
In its long journey, the BNP had to withstand huge conspiracies hatching from international level. Likewise, most of the party leaders and workers have suffered torments by the fascist Hasina regime by landing jail or becoming victims of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances.
In these circumstances, the BNP has started a new voyage towards leading the nation again through the upcoming 13th general election, after the fascist Hasina regime’s ouster through the students-people uprising in 2024.
Experts said the BNP has a luminous future as it is the party founded by most popular President Ziaur Rahman.
When contacted, eminent political analyst Professor Dr. Mahbub Ullah said, “It is clear that if the BNP follow the ideal of late President Ziaur Rahman, and upheld the national flag giving highest priority, its future is luminous obviously.”
The Professor said, the people of Bangladesh never forget Martyred President Ziaur Rahman, so they must support the BNP always so far the party upheld its founder’s ideal.
When contacted, BNP Standing Committee Member Dr. Khandoker Mosharraf Hossain told The New Nation, “The BNP always follows the ideal of Martyred President Ziaur Rahman. It always upheld the nation’s interest.”
The BNP leader said, people’s interest is the first priority to all of the party men.
“So, we believe, the people of the country are always with us,” he said.
The BNP was founded on September 1, 1978, by late President Ziaur Rahman with a 19-point charter aimed at building a self-reliant Bangladesh.
Marking the day, the BNP has organised a discussion meeting in the capital’s Engineers Institution on Sunday.
Joining virtually in the event virtually, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman said, “In its 47 years of glorious journey, the BNP has always received the cooperation and support of the people in its democratic struggle.”
He said, “On this founding anniversary, let us pledge before the people that-just as BNP has never deviated in the past from the path of democracy, justice, rule of law, and establishing the rights of the people, we shall not deviate in the future either. The roots of BNP lie in this Bangladesh.”
To mark the day, the party and its affiliated organisations have chalked out various programmes, including rallies, colourful processions, and discussions.
According to the schedule, the party flag will be hoisted at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office and all district and upazila offices at 6am on Monday.
Later at 11am, senior BNP leaders will place wreaths and offer fateha at the grave of the party’s founder Ziaur Rahman.
Earlier, the party announced a six-day programme to commemorate the anniversary.
As part of that programme, a discussion was organised on Sunday at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh. BNP’s district and city units are also holding rallies and discussions on the same day.
On September 2, a colourful rally will be brought out from in front of BNP’s central office at Nayapaltan. On September 3, the party’s upazila and municipality units will arrange discussions and rallies.
Different mass-oriented activities-such as releasing fish fries, tree plantation, sports competitions, and free medical camps-will be held on September 4.
A roundtable on current political issues will be held on September 5, concluding the central programmes of the anniversary.
In addition to these, BNP’s associate organisations and their units nationwide will arrange separate programmes to mark the occasion. Posters and special supplements will also be published.
In its 46-year political journey, the BNP has been in office four times and in opposition twice, but it has remained out of power for nearly 19 years since the 1/11 political changeover.
On the occasion, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir issued separate messages congratulating the people, party leaders, activists, and well-wishers.
Since 2008, the BNP has navigated a turbulent political landscape, marked by hope, setbacks, and resilience.
After a difficult period under caretaker governments and military-backed rule, the 2008 general election became a turning point. BNP faced a massive defeat against the Awami League, winning only a fraction of parliamentary seats, a bitter reminder of the shifting political tides.
Undeterred, BNP sought to reorganize and strengthen its grassroots presence. The 2014 election, however, brought fresh challenges.
The 2018 election added another chapter of frustration. Facing a tightly controlled political environment and accusations of suppression, BNP struggled to regain its former parliamentary strength.