Special Correspondent

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is observing its 48th founding anniversary today. President Ziaur Rahman, the proclaimer of Bangladesh’s independence, founded the BNP on September 1, 1978. He was the party’s founding chairman.

On the occasion, BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman issued a message extending greetings and congratulations to the party’s leaders, activists, well-wishers and the people of Bangladesh.

Mr 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.

Mr Tarique Rahman said Ziaur Rahman founded the BNP on September 1, 1978, at an open ground at Ramna Botmul in Dhaka. He described the establishment of the BNP as a landmark event in restoring democracy in Bangladesh.

He said the one-party BAKSAL system was established on January 25, 1975, curtailing freedom of speech, individual liberty and democracy. After taking charge of the state, Ziaur Rahman first restored democracy and reinstated the political rights of banned parties, he said. The BNP was subsequently founded as a new political party, paving the way for the revival of multi-party democracy.

Mr Tarique Rahman paid tribute to Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, describing him as the proclaimer of independence, a successful statesman and the architect of modern Bangladesh. He also respectfully remembered former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, saying she took the BNP to every household through her charismatic leadership.

He said the BNP had played a vigilant role in protecting the country’s independence, sovereignty, democracy and good governance. He also paid tribute to party leaders and activists who had sacrificed their lives or suffered injuries in the struggle for democracy and good governance.

According to Mr Tarique Rahman, whenever people were able to vote freely in fair elections, the BNP was given the opportunity to govern the country. He said BNP governments had taken important initiatives, including restoring parliamentary democracy and expanding women’s education, to strengthen and institutionalise democracy.

Mr Tarique Rahman said the people had once again entrusted the BNP with state power through a free, fair and impartial election after the end of what he described as 15 years of fascist rule and exploitation. The BNP wants to repay the people’s trust by establishing an accountable state and a welfare-oriented Bangladesh, he said.

Mr Tarique Rahman said BNP leaders, activists, supporters and well-wishers would continue to work for the country while upholding the people’s trust and confidence.

He said the BNP believes that the pro-democracy people of Bangladesh are the source of all its political power, adding that the party’s other name is 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 by the party’s Acting Secretary General and Prime Minister’s Political Adviser Ruhul Kabir Rizvi at a press conference at the BNP central office on August 26.

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

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

On September 5 at 3pm, a discussion meeting on “The Purpose and Significance of the Establishment of the BNP” will be held at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh auditorium. Mr Tarique Rahman will attend as the chief guest. Senior party leaders and eminent intellectuals are also expected to attend.

Posters will be published to mark the anniversary. Tree-planting and fish-release programmes have also been planned. BNP Joint Secretary General Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel will lead the fish-release programme, while party Joint Secretary General and Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Annie will lead the tree-planting programme.

District and metropolitan BNP units and their subordinate units across the country will also organise discussion meetings and other programmes at convenient times today.

The BNP said Ziaur Rahman inspired the nation during the Liberation War and encouraged students, teachers, farmers, workers and people from various professions to participate in the war.

During a critical period in the country, Ziaur Rahman Bir Uttam took charge of the state on November 7, 1975. Before that, the country had witnessed lawlessness, injustice, the suppression of democracy, killings and violations of people’s freedom of speech and movement. After taking power, he restored these rights, the BNP said.

Martyred President Ziaur Rahman established multi-party democracy and founded the BNP based on the principles of protecting independence and sovereignty and establishing democracy. Upholding these ideals, he took the country forward on the path of development and production. He also overcame the stigma of Bangladesh being a “bottomless basket” and established the country as self-sufficient in food.