BNP marks 48th founding anniversary as Khaleda Zia's absence weighs heavily 

The BNP will observe its 48th founding anniversary today in a sombre atmosphere, with the party marking the occasion for the first time without former chairperson Khaleda Zia.

Founded by then-president Ziaur Rahman on 1 September 1978, the BNP has announced a five-day programme to mark the anniversary. Party flags will be raised at 6am today at its Nayapaltan central office and party offices nationwide.

BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said the party wants to repay the people's trust by establishing an accountable state and a welfare-oriented Bangladesh. 

In a message marking BNP's 48th founding anniversary, he said voters had again entrusted the party with governing the country through a free, fair and neutral election after years of authoritarian rule. He urged party leaders and supporters to preserve that trust through dedicated public service. 

"BNP believes that the pro-democracy people of Bangladesh are the source of all its political power. BNP is synonymous with the struggle to build a welfare-oriented, democratic and self-reliant Bangladesh," he said.

At 9am, Tarique Rahman will visit the graves of Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar to offer Fateha and lay flowers.

The programme also includes a discussion on 5 September, alongside tree-planting and fish-release activities. Local BNP units will hold additional programmes.

First anniversary without Khaleda Zia

Khaleda's absence has cast a sombre shadow over the anniversary. BNP acting secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said Khaleda had long been the source of inspiration and enthusiasm for party activists. "That is no longer there. It leaves us saddened and grieving," he said.

BNP Joint Secretary General Syed Emran Saleh Prince described the anniversary as a mixture of joy and sorrow, saying the party is celebrating its long political journey while mourning the absence of its longtime chairperson and former prime minister.

A pledge to build a better Bangladesh

As the party marks its anniversary, BNP leaders say its greater responsibility is to turn its political commitments into improvements in people's lives.

Rizvi said the party had earned public trust by prioritising people's basic needs and urged its leaders and activists to follow the law, maintain discipline and ensure that people feel secure and see the BNP as a democratic and people-oriented party.

He said the party was following the ideals of Ziaur Rahman, who worked to make Bangladesh self-sufficient in food and create employment after the Liberation War. 

Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman, he added, had also taken initiatives to strengthen employment, food security and the rural economy through programmes such as the Family Card and Farmers' Card.

Prince said the party faced the difficult task of rebuilding a country affected by years of institutional and economic strain.

"We have inherited a fragile economy," he told The Business Standard, adding that the government was also dealing with energy shortages and attempts by remnants of the previous regime to retain influence within the administration.