BNP Observes 47th Founding Anniversary

September 1 marks the 47th founding anniversary of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). To commemorate the occasion, the party has announced a series of programs, including rallies and discussion meetings. BNP was established in 1978 by the late President Ziaur Rahman, who became its founding chairman.

Ziaur Rahman was killed on May 30, 1981, during a failed military coup in Chattogram. After his death, his wife Begum Khaleda Zia took over leadership of the party in February 1983, later serving as BNP chairperson. She was imprisoned in February 2018 under the then Awami League government in connection with a corruption case and spent more than two years in jail.

Now 79, Khaleda Zia remains inactive in politics due to imprisonment, legal battles, and illness. Since February 2018, the party has been under the acting leadership of Tarique Rahman, who has lived in the UK since the 2007 caretaker government era. BNP has been out of power for more than 17 years.

In a message released to the media on Sunday, Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman congratulated BNP members and supporters on the anniversary. He stated that true democracy is yet to be established in Bangladesh, and stressed that the rule of law, freedom of speech, press independence, and a free judiciary are essential to ensuring democratic rights. For that, he said, a government accountable to the people is urgently needed.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, in a separate message, emphasized that free and fair elections along with a strong rule of law are the keys to ensuring citizens’ rights. He added that dismantling the existing structure of misrule and building a tolerant, peaceful, and socially just nation must be the goal of nationalist forces.

Programs for the Day

This morning, BNP offices across the country, including the central headquarters, raised the party flag. At 11 am, party leaders offered prayers and paid tribute at the grave of Ziaur Rahman in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar. Rallies and meetings will also be held in districts and cities throughout the day.

On Tuesday, a rally will be brought out from the party’s central office, while on Wednesday, September 3, programs will be held at the upazila and municipality levels.

As part of the anniversary, BNP also plans to publish special supplements in newspapers, distribute posters, and hold roundtable discussions on contemporary issues.