The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is celebrating its 47th founding anniversary today (September 1), marking nearly five decades since its inception by the late President Ziaur Rahman on this day in 1978 at the Ramna Restaurant in Dhaka.
To commemorate the occasion, the party has announced a series of programmes including discussion meetings and processions.
Ziaur Rahman, a former army chief turned politician, was assassinated on May 30, 1981, during a failed military coup in Chattogram. In the wake of his death, his wife, Khaleda Zia, transitioned from a private life to the political arena, navigating years of political upheaval.
Khaleda Zia formally began her political journey on January 13, 1983. Within months, she was appointed Senior Vice-Chairperson of the BNP, and by May 10, 1984, she assumed the party’s top position as Chairperson.
Now 79, the former prime minister has mainly remained inactive in politics for several years due to ongoing legal battles, imprisonment, and deteriorating health.
Since February 2018, her son Tarique Rahman has been the party’s acting chairman. Exiled in the United Kingdom since the army-backed caretaker government took power in 2007, he continues to direct party affairs from abroad.
The BNP has held power in Bangladesh on three occasions. It first formed government after winning the fifth general election held on February 27, 1991.
Though it returned to power through a controversial election on February 15, 1996, the administration collapsed just 45 days later amid intense opposition protests. The party’s final term in office came after a victory in the eighth national election in 2001, when it led a four-party alliance to power.
Since then, the BNP has remained out of office for over 17 years.
On the eve of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) 47th founding anniversary, the party’s Acting Chairman, Tarique Rahman, pledged to restore multi-party democracy, protect the nation’s sovereignty, and uphold citizens' rights.
In a message issued Friday, he said the BNP’s primary objective is to alleviate public suffering through the realisation of democratic rights and to safeguard the country’s independence and territorial integrity.
Extending heartfelt greetings to BNP leaders, activists, supporters, and citizens, Rahman recalled the party’s foundation on September 1, 1978, by the late President Ziaur Rahman, who, he said, had envisioned uniting the people under the banner of nationalist ideals. “This day is one of joy, enthusiasm, and inspiration for the people of Bangladesh,” Rahman said. “The BNP remains committed to ensuring strong sovereignty and permanently shaping a democratic, multi-party political culture.”
To mark the anniversary, the party has formed a 16-member national celebration committee, headed by Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan as convener and Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed as member secretary.
A discussion titled “The Purpose and Significance of Establishing BNP” was held on Friday at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) in Ramna.
Celebratory events will continue through the weekend. On Sunday (September 1), the party flag will be hoisted at BNP’s central office in Nayapaltan and across regional offices nationwide at 6 am. Later in the morning, at 11 am, senior BNP leaders will place wreaths and offer Fateha at the grave of party founder Ziaur Rahman at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.
Districts and cities nationwide will observe the anniversary with local discussions and colourful processions. A major procession is planned from the Nayapaltan central office on September 2, with similar events scheduled at the upazila and municipal levels on September 3.
As part of the celebrations, BNP will also release a special anniversary supplement in newspapers and distribute posters. Roundtable discussions on pressing national issues are scheduled in the coming days, alongside cultural events, tree-planting campaigns, fish fry releases, free medical clinics, and sporting competitions across the country.
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