BNP’s 48th founding anniversary tomorrow

The 48th founding anniversary of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), founder by Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, is tomorrow (1 September).

Ziaur Rahman was the founding chairman of the party which began its journey on 1 September, 1978. He was at the forefront of organizing BNP and led the party until he was killed by a group of disgruntled military personnel in 1981. 

To mark the anniversary, BNP announced a five-day programme.

As part of the programme, Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman will pay tributes to Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia by placing wreaths at their graves in the capital’s Zia Udyan at 9am tomorrow (1 September).

A discussion meeting will be held on 5 September.

The party will also organise a fish fry releasing programme on a suitable date under the leadership of Joint Secretary General Habibun Nabi Khan Sohel. A tree plantation campaign will be led by Joint Secretary General and Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anne.

After Ziaur Rahman’s assassination, his wife Begum Khaleda Zia took over the leadership of the party and she served as the chairperson of the party until her death. 

However, since her imprisonment in false cases in 2018, her son Tarique Rahman, now prime minister, served as the acting chairman of the party.

After the demise of Begum Khaleda Zia last year (2025), her son Tarique Rahman took the helm of the party taking charge of the party chief.

Under the leadership of Begum Khaleda Zia, the BNP won the nine-year-long struggle against dictator Ershad by waging a mass uprising. 

Begum Khaleda Zia gained the reputation of an ‘uncompromising national leader’ through her uncompromising fight against the dictatorship. 

Under the leadership of Begum Khaleda Zia, the BNP won a majority in the 1991 national elections and formed the government. 

After overcoming various conspiracies, the BNP came to power again in 2001 by gaining a majority under the leadership of Begum Khaleda Zia. 

Since one-eleven changeover in 2007, the BNP faced various obstacles, dangers, torture and oppression till 2024.
 
In order to confront the fascist Awami League regime, numerous leaders and activists of the party, including the party chief Begum Khaleda Zia, were subjected to indescribable torture and oppression.

Many were subjected to enforced disappearances and murders. 

The role and sacrifice of BNP along with the students and the public in the mass uprising of 2024 was immense. 

The 16-year-long fascist regime collapsed on 5 August, 2024 in the mass uprising and fascist Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country.

During Sheikh Hasina’s long rule, BNP could not hold any meetings without any hindrance. BNP was obstructed in various ways by the state apparatus and the then ruling party cadres.

In the 13th national election held on 12 February this year, BNP again achieved a landslide victory and two-third majority in parliament. The BNP formed government under the leadership of Tarique Rahman.