Tarique Rahman greets nation on BNP’s 48th founding anniversary

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is celebrating its 48th founding anniversary in a new political reality after returning to state power following nearly two decades.

Founded on September 1, 1978, the BNP turns 48 on Tuesday. The party is now in charge of running the government, making this anniversary particularly significant for its leaders and supporters.

The BNP secured an absolute majority in the national parliamentary election held on February 12 this year. Its chairman, Tarique Rahman, took oath as Prime Minister on February 17, marking the party’s return to power after a long period.

As a result, this year’s anniversary is being viewed not merely as a political celebration but also as an opportunity for the party to demonstrate its ability to fulfil its political commitments after years of opposition politics.

Five-day programme
The BNP has announced a five-day programme to mark its founding anniversary.

The programme will begin at 6am on September 1 with the hoisting of national and party flags at the party’s central office in Nayapaltan and at BNP offices across the country.

At 9am, BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to pay tribute at the graves of the party’s founder, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, and former chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.

On September 5, the party will organise a discussion titled ‘The Objectives and Significance of the Founding of BNP’ at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh auditorium, with Tarique Rahman as the chief guest.

District and metropolitan BNP units will also organise discussions, rallies and other programmes at convenient times. Social initiatives, including tree plantation and fish release, have also been included in the anniversary programme.

From political struggle to governing the state
According to BNP leaders, the party’s 48-year political journey has been marked by political struggles, crises and sacrifices.

The party has governed the country at different times while also spending long periods in opposition and on the streets.

Political analysts say the BNP’s main focus while in opposition was anti-government movements, elections and demands for democratic rights. However, returning to power has brought a different set of challenges.

Meeting public expectations, restoring the economy, controlling commodity prices, creating employment, improving law and order, strengthening administrative discipline and making state institutions effective are now among the government’s major challenges.

The party must also combine its experience in opposition politics with administrative skills, economic decision-making and effective policy implementation.

A new chapter under Tarique Rahman
Following Begum Khaleda Zia’s long political career, the BNP is now being led by Tarique Rahman, who is also serving as Prime Minister.

How the BNP implements its political philosophy and governing policies under a new generation of leadership has become one of the country’s major political issues.

The anniversary programme therefore includes not only political events but also discussions and social initiatives.

BNP leaders on the anniversary
BNP Acting Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said the party had returned to state power through the people’s vote after nearly two decades.

He described this year’s anniversary as a time for both celebration and self-assessment. According to him, the BNP wants to continue its struggle for democracy and people’s rights based on the political ideals of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman and the leadership of Begum Khaleda Zia.

BNP Joint Secretary General Advocate Abdus Salam Azad said Bangladeshi nationalism and multiparty democracy are the party’s core principles. He also described the 19-point programme formulated by Shaheed Ziaur Rahman as a key foundation of the party’s political, social, economic and cultural activities.

BNP leaders say earning public trust is one of the party’s greatest achievements over its 48-year history. However, after years in opposition, fulfilling public expectations while governing the country is now the party’s biggest test.

The BNP’s future political standing will largely depend on how effectively it can govern and respond to the expectations of the people.