BNP’s 47th founding anniversary: Citizens’ freedom ensured only through free polls, rule of law, says Fakhrul

On the eve of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party's (BNP) 47th founding anniversary, the party's Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said that citizens' freedom can only be ensured through free and fair elections and a strengthened rule of law.

In a statement issued by the BNP media cell today (31 August), he said, "The structure built under misrule must be uprooted entirely to establish a tolerant, peaceful, and egalitarian society — that should be the main objective of the nationalist forces."

Fakhrul stressed that violence and terror-based politics must be eliminated and that commitment is required to ensure the flourishing of democracy in both state and society.

Referring to last year's uprising that "toppled autocracy", he said the possibilities it opened up have become as clear as daylight and must now be gradually implemented.

"On this historic day, I urge all levels of our party leaders and workers to be sincerely dedicated to making the organisation more united and dynamic," Fakhrul added.

Marking the founding anniversary, he called upon all BNP leaders, activists, and the people of the country to "stand united under the banner of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party-BNP."

47th founding anniversary programmes

BNP is set to celebrate its 47th founding anniversary across the country tomorrow (1 September) with various programmes, reports UNB.

On 1 September, 1978, late president Ziaur Rahman founded the party with a 19-point programme to build a self-reliant Bangladesh.

BNP and its associate bodies have taken up various programmes, including rallies and discussions, to mark the day.

As per the programmes, the party flag will be hoisted atop its Nayapaltan central office and all other offices of BNP across the country at 6am tomorrow.

Besides, BNP senior leaders will place wreaths and offer fateha at the grave of its founder Ziaur Rahman at 11am on the day.

The party earlier announced a six-day programme to celebrate its 47th founding anniversary.

As per the announcement, the party arranged a discussion at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh today (31 August) in observance of the day.

The district and city units of the party will hold discussions and colourful rallies across the country the same day.

On 2 September, a colourful rally will be brought out in front of the BNP's Nayapaltan central office to mark the anniversary.

BNP's all upazila and municipality units will hold rallies and discussions on 3 September.

On 4 September, the party will observe several mass programmes like releasing fish fries, planting trees, and arranging sports events and free medical camps across the country.

The party will organise a roundtable discussion on contemporary political issues on 5 September as part of its anniversary observance.

Apart from the central programmes, BNP's associate bodies and all their units across the country will mark the day with due respect by arranging their own programmes.

On the occasion of the anniversary, BNP and its associate bodies will publish posters and supplements.

In its 46-year journey, the BNP had been in power four times and on the opposition bench twice. BNP has been out of power for nearly 19 years since the 1/11 political changeover.

On 18 August, BNP formed a 16-member "national celebration committee" to celebrate the party's 47th founding anniversary on 1 September.

BNP National Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan has been made convener of the committee, while Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi its member secretary.