BNP working tirelessly to protect national independence, sovereignty since inception: Rizvi

BNP Acting Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi today (1 September) said the party has been working tirelessly to protect national independence and sovereignty, establish democracy, and ensure the rights of the people since its inception. 

He made the remarks in a message marking BNP's 48th founding anniversary. 

He said, "Forty-eight years ago today, during a period of extreme national crisis, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) was established under the leadership of the great proclaimer of independence, proponent of multi-party democracy, heroic statesman, former president Shaheed Ziaur Rahman."

On this auspicious occasion of the party's 48th founding anniversary, Rizvi prayed to Almighty Allah for the forgiveness of the soul of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman. 

He further said, "I express my sincere respect to Begum Khaleda Zia and seek forgiveness for her soul. I also express deep respect to all those leaders and activists who have sacrificed for the party since its founding. On this joyous day, I extend my heartfelt greetings and congratulations to leaders and activists at all levels of the party, supporters, well-wishers, and the people of the country."

"Bangladeshi nationalism and multi-party democracy are BNP's core ideals. The 19-point program formulated by Shaheed Zia at the time of BNP's founding is the fundamental basis of the party's political, social, economic, and cultural activities. BNP's main goals are to establish 'Bangladeshi identity' as the foundation of every patriotic citizen's dignity based on the ideals and philosophy of the party's founder Shaheed Ziaur Rahman, protect independence and sovereignty, and ensure people's fundamental rights," the message said.

We must all work unitedly to implement Tarique Rahman's comprehensive plans to build a prosperous, humane, and justice-based Bangladesh by eliminating hunger, poverty, unemployment, inequality, and social anarchy. At the same time, BNP is giving the highest importance to developing democratic consciousness in the state and society and protecting people's fundamental rights.

BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi

Rizvi called upon leaders and activists at all levels of the party to work unitedly to continue the path of democracy and ensure that no arbitrary force can ever again usurp people's rights. Following the historic student-people's mass uprising of July-August 2024 that ended the long period of democracy deficit and autocratic rule, the free and fair election held on 12 February opened a new door of possibilities. 

"Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman is tirelessly working to fulfill people's expectations. I wish him all success. Alongside ensuring the security of people's lives and property, BNP is sincerely working to implement its electoral promises to establish the rule of law, justice, human dignity, and democratic values in the state and society," he added. 

The message further said that BNP always gives the highest importance to people's opinions and voting rights. Ensuring people's democratic rights is BNP's commitment. At the same time, the BNP government is working together to build an accountable, people-oriented and welfare-based state system across the country's economy, administration, judiciary, and state institutions.

Protecting the country's independence and sovereignty, strengthening democracy, and establishing people's rights are BNP's primary political goals, read the message. 

Rizvi added, "We must all work unitedly to implement Tarique Rahman's comprehensive plans to build a prosperous, humane, and justice-based Bangladesh by eliminating hunger, poverty, unemployment, inequality, and social anarchy. At the same time, BNP is giving the highest importance to developing democratic consciousness in the state and society and protecting people's fundamental rights."

The BNP' acting secretary general said that after 17 years of an adverse political environment, struggle, and movement, BNP has come to power through the votes of the people.

"Now, the biggest challenge for the party and the government is to retain the people's trust and popularity. For this, it is necessary to fulfill public expectations, implement electoral commitments, and engage more closely with the people."

Rizvi further said that after the establishment of Baksal in 1975, newspapers were shut down.

"The fact that journalists today perform their duties and express their opinions freely is largely due to the significant contributions of Ziaur Rahman and Begum Khaleda Zia. Ziaur Rahman also played a crucial role in exporting manpower abroad, creating employment, and driving the country's economic progress."

Recalling the anti-Ershad movement, Rizvi said that democracy was subsequently killed once again through conspiracies and blueprints. Hussain Muhammad Ershad imposed martial law, seized power, and stifled the country's political environment.

"Standing against that autocracy, Begum Khaleda Zia waged an unyielding nine-year struggle. She made no compromises with anyone to restore democracy and upheld her promises and commitments to the people," he said.

Highlighting former prime minister Khaleda Zia's political struggle, Rizvi said she endured oppression, persecution, and torture. She spent years in prison, deprived of proper medical treatment and basic human rights.

"Even then, she did not compromise. She was the main inspiration behind the movement against Sheikh Hasina," he said.

Rizvi said that while Khaleda Zia was imprisoned, her eldest son, Tarique Rahman, took on her responsibilities. Bearing the flag of his parents' ideals, he led the democratic struggle and organised the nation from the grassroots to the national level.

He added that under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's continuous leadership, the mass movement initiated in 2018 eventually turned into a powerful wave during the July Uprising. Public power exploded on the streets, leading to the fall of Sheikh Hasina on 5 August 2024.

Working continuously

Regarding the present government's operations, Rizvi said that BNP came to power through a free and fair election. Upon assuming power, Tarique Rahman has been working tirelessly to fulfill the promises made to the people.

Noting that "challenges exist," Rizvi said there may be various challenges and conspiracies in the country, but Tarique Rahman is leading the government while confronting them.

Promised initiatives like the Farmer's Card, Family Card, and honorariums for Imams and Muazzins are being implemented.

Electricity, energy crisis

On the electricity and energy crisis, he said it is not just a crisis for BNP or the government; it is a global crisis. International conditions have disrupted energy supplies. The obstruction of vessel movement in the Strait of Hormuz and damage to energy-bearing ships have also impacted Bangladesh.

He stated that the government is not sitting idle. Beyond regular budget allocations, initiatives costing around Tk40,000 crore have been undertaken to resolve the energy crisis.

Technical faults at a Moheshkhali terminal have been repaired, and gas regasification has resumed. he said, hoping that normal gas supplies would be restored by the first or second week of September.

Regarding the relationship between the party and the government, Rizvi said that although the party and the government are two separate entities, there is no conflict between them.

"The people voted BNP into power, so it is natural for ministers to come from among BNP's leaders and activists," Rizvi added.

The greatest challenge

Highlighting the pledges for BNP's 48th founding anniversary, Rizvi said that the primary goal now is to fulfill the 31-point outline, the election manifesto, and Begum Khaleda Zia's Vision-2030, built upon 17 years of democratic struggle for public social protection, national development, and production.

He repeated that after 17 years in an adverse political environment, BNP has won through the people's vote.

The greatest challenge now is retaining this public trust and popularity by fulfilling public expectations, implementing promises, and staying closely connected with the people.

On the occasion of the founding anniversary, party flags were hoisted at 6am at BNP's Naya Paltan central office and other offices nationwide. Later at 9am, BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, party's central leaders, and heads of associate organisations visited the graves of BNP founder and former president Ziaur Rahman and former chairperson and prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia to recite Surah Al-Fatihah and lay floral wreaths.