BNP’s 48th founding anniv today
Today, September 1, marks the 48th founding anniversary of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). President Ziaur Rahman founded the party on this day in 1978 and served as its founding chairman.
In a message marking the occasion, BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman extended his greetings and congratulations to the party’s leaders and activists at all levels, well-wishers, and the people of the country.
He stated that the 48th founding anniversary of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)-the country’s most popular political party, known for its courage, struggle, sacrifice, and success-is a day of joy, enthusiasm, and inspiration for the people of Bangladesh.
In his message, Tarique Rahman noted that on this auspicious afternoon in 1978, at the open grounds of Ramna Batamul (the Ramna Restaurant premises) in Dhaka, the proclaimer of Bangladesh’s independence and former President, the late Ziaur Rahman, founded the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The founding of the BNP was a landmark event in the history of the restoration of democracy in Bangladesh.
He stated that the ill-fated one-party ‘BAKSAL’ system was established on January 25, 1975, stifling freedom of speech, individual liberty, and the path to democracy.
Upon assuming the responsibility of governing the state, President Ziaur Rahman first restored democracy in the country and reinstated the political rights of previously banned political parties.
In this context, the new political party, the BNP, was established to meet the demands of the time. Consequently, a new journey towards multi-party democracy began in Bangladesh.
On this anniversary of the BNP’s founding, Tarique Rahman pays humble tribute to the great proclaimer of independence, successful statesman, and architect of modern Bangladesh, the late President Ziaur Rahman.
At the same time, he respectfully remembers the former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson, the late Begum Khaleda Zia. He stated that Begum Khaleda Zia, through her charismatic personality and leadership, took the BNP into every household in Bangladesh.
He remarked that the BNP has played the role of a vigilant guardian-alongside the people-not only in establishing democracy and good governance but also in safeguarding the country’s independence and sovereignty. Whenever the nation’s independence, sovereignty, and democracy have faced threats, BNP leaders, activists, well-wishers, and supporters-together with the democracy-loving public-have unhesitatingly sacrificed their lives.
He stated that he remembers with deep respect the contributions of all leaders and activists-at every level-who have sacrificed their lives or sustained injuries in the struggle to establish democracy and good governance in the country since the inception of the BNP.
In his message, he noted that whenever the people of the country have had the opportunity to vote in free, fair, and fearless elections, the BNP has had the opportunity to govern the state. During its various terms in office, the BNP government undertook significant initiatives-such as reintroducing parliamentary democracy and expanding women’s education-aimed at strengthening democracy and institutionalizing it within the country.
Thanks to the party’s zeal and initiatives to uphold democracy and foster economic prosperity, the BNP has now become the most popular political party among the people of the country.
Meanwhile, the BNP has announced a five-day program to mark its 48th founding anniversary. Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, the party’s Acting Secretary General and Political Adviser to the Prime Minister, announced the schedule during a press conference at the party’s central office last Wednesday.
As part of the program, the party flag will be hoisted at 6:00 AM tomorrow, September 1, at the BNP’s central office in Naya Paltan as well as at party offices across the country. At 9:00 AM, BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, along with the party’s Acting Secretary General, central leaders, leaders of affiliated and associate organizations, and activists from all levels, will recite Fateha and place floral wreaths at the mausoleum of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman (Bir Uttam)-the proclaimer of independence, proponent of multi-party democracy, architect of modern Bangladesh, and founding chairman of the BNP-and the late former Prime Minister and ‘Mother of Democracy,’ Begum Khaleda Zia.
A discussion meeting titled “The Objectives and Significance of the Founding of the BNP” will be held on September 5 at 3 PM 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 eminent intellectuals of the country will participate in the program. A poster will also be released to mark the founding anniversary.
Additionally, tree plantation and fish-stocking programs have been organized. BNP Joint Secretary General Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel will lead the fish-stocking program, while the party’s Joint Secretary General and Minister of Water Resources, Shahiduddin Chowdhury Annie, will lead the tree plantation program.
Similarly, district and metropolitan units of the BNP across the country will hold discussion meetings and observe other programs at convenient times to mark the party’s 48th founding anniversary on September 1.
