History of Bangladesh Nationalist Party-BNP For twenty-five years under the state structure of Pakistan, the people of this region struggled for democracy, economic emancipation, and cultural freedom. This constitutional struggle reached its peak during the 1970 elections, where the people sought to achieve victory through the ballot. However, the military junta of Pakistan thwarted that aspiration and pushed the Bengalis toward the path of armed struggle. With the direct assistance of neighboring India, Bangladesh won the war of independence — but that dependence came at a cost. After independence, India began to exert economic and cultural dominance over Bangladesh. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s Awami League government failed to protect the people’s rights and Bangladesh’s national interests from that influence. The rise of Ziaur Rahman in Bangladesh’s politics was inevitable, yet sudden and extraordinary. In the 1965 Indo-Pak war, he fought valiantly at the Khemkaran front as a Bengali officer in the Pakistan Army. His courage in that battlefield astonished both his comrades and his adversaries. Again, in 1971, during one of the darkest periods of our history, he declared the independence of Bangladesh — a bold and historic act that once again amazed the nation. Ziaur Rahman had an innate ability to make the right decision at the most critical moments, even at the risk of his life. This quality of decisive leadership naturally propelled him toward the center of power. Thus, amid the chaos of November 1975, his leadership over the nation was inaugurated. He was the proclaimer of independence and a valiant warrior — yet also a disciplined, law-abiding soldier. He became the central figure of inspiration behind the Sepoy-People’s Revolution. Suddenly, the responsibility of governing a chaotic country fell upon his shoulders. At that time, the military was in disarray, plagued by intrigue and conspiracy. Through firm and decisive measures, Ziaur Rahman restored discipline within the armed forces. The political sphere was barren, but he revived political activities and reintroduced democracy by lifting martial law and ending one-party rule. He articulated and established the timeless philosophy of Bangladeshi Nationalism, gifting the nation a renewed sense of identity and ideological direction. To meet the demands of the time, he founded a new political party — the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). On September 1, 1978, at the open field beneath the Ramna Batomul in Dhaka, President Zia formally announced the establishment of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The emergence of BNP fulfilled a historical necessity and the aspirations of the nation, filling the vacuum that had been created in national politics after the imposition of one-party rule through the Fourth Amendment, which had established BAKSAL. According to the BNP’s founding declaration, the party was formed on the basis of Bangladeshi Nationalism to achieve: An unbreakable national unity and a broad-based democratic political structure; National economic liberation, self-reliance, and progress through the tireless efforts of a united and organized people; Freedom from the horrors of imperialism, expansionism, neo-colonialism, and domination. The party established an 11-member Standing Committee, a Parliamentary Board, and a Party Electoral College. The National Executive Committee included: 5 Vice Chairmen, 1 Secretary General, 1 Treasurer, 4 Organizing Secretaries, and one Secretary each for Publicity, Social Welfare, Sports, Culture, Office Affairs, Youth, Women, Students, Labor, Agriculture, International Affairs, and Special Duties. The first central office of the BNP was located at Dhanmondi-27, Dhaka. The Formation of the First Government of BNP: On November 30, 1978, the government announced that the national election would be held on January 27, 1979. However, following demands from several political parties, the election was postponed twice and was finally held on February 18. For the first time in post-independence Bangladesh, a free and fair election was conducted with the active participation of all major political parties and the general public. In that election, the BNP won 207 seats and formed the government, while the Awami League (led by Malek) won 39 seats and became the main opposition party. On September 15, President Zia stated, “The first and foremost task of the BNP is to restore the democratic rights of the people.” Malaysia’s Business Times wrote, “President Zia has virtually declared war against the overwhelming problems that had once earned Bangladesh the reputation of a bottomless basket.” Around the same time, The New York Times highlighted President Zia’s tireless efforts to ensure Bangladesh’s security and stability, achieve self-reliance, and double national production. In 1980, the party’s central office was relocated to Naya Paltan. On May 29, 1981, while on an official visit to Chittagong, President Ziaur Rahman was assassinated in the early hours of May 30 at the Chittagong Circuit House by a group of misguided army officers. Through his visionary leadership and countless initiatives, Ziaur Rahman became inseparable from the history of Bangladesh. His integrity, dedication to development, unity, and his politics of harmony have earned him an enduring place in the nation’s political history — his name forever written in golden letters. Khaleda Zia’s Entry into Politics After the martyrdom of President Ziaur Rahman, Justice Abdus Sattar first assumed the role of Acting President and was later elected as the President, taking over the leadership of the party as well. On March 24, 1982, General Ershad staged a coup d’état, overthrowing a government that had been elected just three months earlier and seizing power. When some BNP leaders joined Ershad’s cabinet, the party experienced a period of inactivity along with the ousted President, Justice Sattar. In response to the demands of party workers and requests from several senior leaders, Begum Khaleda Zia took the initiative to join politics. On January 3, 1982, she became a primary member of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), transitioning from a homemaker to a political leader. As part of the party’s efforts to protect the BNP from conspiracies and internal inertia, Begum Zia was appointed as the Senior Vice Chairman of the party in March 1983. The Anti-Autocracy Movement under Khaleda Zia’s Leadership During the entire regime of General Ershad, the politics of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) was centered on the movement for the restoration of democracy. On May 30, 1982, during the first anniversary of the martyrdom of President Ziaur Rahman, Begum Khaleda Zia addressed a gathering at Zia’s mausoleum and administered an oath to the members of the Chatradal (BNP’s student wing) to unite and fight against autocracy. When then–Education Minister Majid Khan announced a new education policy on September 23, the BNP strongly opposed it, and under the leadership of Chatradal, the student movement began. The democratic movement took shape when, on September 17, during Education Day, students organized the first anti-dictatorship procession carrying banners reading, “We want the fall of Ershad.” On November 7, Khaleda Zia again administered an oath to Chatradal, followed by massive student demonstrations the next day. On December 11 and 12, Chatradal held an extended meeting, and on December 13, a nationwide strike was organized in protest against the education policy. During that meeting, Chatradal unanimously urged Begum Khaleda Zia to take formal leadership of the BNP. On February 14, at Dhaka University’s Bottola, a clash between students and police resulted in the martyrdom of seven students — Jafar, Zainal, Kanchan, Ayub, Dipali Saha, and Faruq among them. The following day, February 15, protests erupted across educational institutions, and police gunfire claimed another 15 lives. Students held gayebana janaza (absentee funeral prayers) on February 18, a silent procession on February 19, and a nationwide strike on February 20. In response, the government arrested 15-party alliance leaders, including BNP leaders and Colonel Oli Ahmad. Despite most student leaders being fugitives and many senior leaders imprisoned, Khaleda Zia decided to lead a silent march to the Central Shaheed Minar. At 8:30 a.m., she led the silent procession, attended a discussion meeting organized by JASAS (BNP’s cultural wing), where she was the chief guest. Amid the turbulent political situation, Khaleda Zia began her first nationwide political tour, holding her first meeting at the United Club in Khulna. On September 4–5, 1983, the 7-party and 15-party alliances met to outline a five-point demand against martial law, which was announced on September 6. On November 28, Khaleda Zia was injured during a joint secretariat siege program and took shelter at a relative’s residence. That same night, both Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina were placed under one-month house arrest. During this period, Ershad personally met Khaleda Zia, attempting to lure and intimidate her, but she remained resolute. On January 7, 1984, Ershad invited 55 political parties for dialogue, but BNP, Awami League, and Jamaat-e-Islami jointly boycotted it. On January 12, 1984, Khaleda Zia was appointed Acting Chairperson of the BNP, and on March 1, both Khaleda and Hasina were arrested. On May 10, 1984, Khaleda Zia was elected Chairperson of the BNP unopposed. When Ershad announced national elections for July 12, both opposition alliances rejected the call. The 7-party alliance observed Resistance Day on July 25, held a mass rally on August 5, and organized a half-day nationwide strike on August 27. During a Jamaat-e-Islami rally on August 27, the demand for a caretaker government was formally raised. On October 3, the Election Commission announced the election schedule. In response, on October 15, 1984, the joint democratic opposition alliance launched the historic “Cholo Cholo, Dhaka Cholo” (Let’s March to Dhaka) program, surrounding the capital. In a national radio and television address, President Ershad was forced to postpone the parliamentary election scheduled for early 1985 and announced a partial restoration of the Constitution. The Uncompromising Turbulent Movement On April 6, 1985, Justice Nurul Islam announced the election schedule, and the government abolished the military courts. On February 11, at an extended meeting of the BNP held at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh, Begum Khaleda Zia raised serious concerns about the absence of a fair electoral environment. On September 1, during the party’s founding anniversary, she demanded the restoration of full political freedom. On February 3, she called for a nationwide strike, and on February 14, during a public rally, Khaleda Zia demanded an election date and the formation of a caretaker government. On February 21, at a rally near the Shaheed Minar, she firmly rejected any “compromise” on the five-point demand. Both opposition alliances reiterated the same demands during rallies on February 24, followed by a nationwide strike on March 8. On March 18, at a mass rally in Laldighi Maidan, Chattogram, Sheikh Hasina announced a boycott of the upcoming election, declaring that “anyone participating in an election under Ershad will be a traitor to the nation.” However, just three days later, at 1:40 a.m. on March 21, Sheikh Hasina reversed her decision and declared that the Awami League would join the election. On March 31, the BNP held an extended meeting at the Dhaka District Sports Association Auditorium. On May 2, Khaleda Zia was arrested in a humiliating manner. During a closed-door meeting of the Jubo Dal (youth front) on March 7, 1987, she declared: “If anyone seeks power, let them come here—but I seek not power, I seek struggle.” At that time, BNP’s student leader Mahbubul Haque Babul was brutally murdered, and widespread repression was unleashed on student activists. It was during this period that Khaleda Zia earned the title of “the Uncompromising Leader.” On November 11, she was arrested from a meeting at the Purbani Hotel and placed under house arrest. On January 1, 1988, the government announced national elections for February 28. On that same day, at the TSC of Dhaka University during the anniversary of Chatradal, Khaleda Zia proclaimed a “one-point demand”—the fall of the Ershad regime. Alongside her, 22 student organizations declared their commitment to resist the election both socially and politically. Starting from January 12, Khaleda Zia embarked on a nationwide campaign, standing firmly by her one-point demand. In the one-sided election that followed, the Jatiya Party won three-fourths of the seats. On March 24, April 25, November 28, and December 16, Khaleda Zia led strikes and a Victory Day rally, calling for the establishment of a truly representative government. The BNP held its National Council on March 8–9, 1989, at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh. Around that time, a landmark verdict came from the Supreme Court regarding the division within the High Court. On May 25, 1989, she led a long march towards Farakka demanding Bangladesh’s rightful share of river water. On November 1, the 7-party alliance held a 10-hour symbolic hunger strike at Gulistan demanding a caretaker government. When student activist Zehad was killed, an all-party student unity front was formed. Following the killings of Dr. Shamsul Alam Milon and Nur Hossain during campus protests, top military officials held an emergency meeting at the army headquarters and met with Ershad. Subsequently, Ershad addressed the nation, announcing the withdrawal of the state of emergency effective December 1, the holding of presidential and parliamentary elections, and the transfer of power to a neutral vice president 15 days before the election. In an immediate reaction to the BBC, Khaleda Zia demanded Ershad’s immediate resignation. Finally, on December 6, 1990, Ershad stepped down, and Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed assumed the role of Acting President. Throughout Ershad’s regime, the BNP, under Khaleda Zia’s steadfast leadership, boycotted all elections—two national elections, one presidential election, one referendum, and two upazila elections—calling them undemocratic and illegitimate. Through her political wisdom, courage, and foresight, Begum Khaleda Zia not only safeguarded the BNP but transformed it into one of Bangladesh’s most powerful and enduring political forces. A New Era in Politics: Begum Khaleda Zia in State Leadership On 27 February 1991, after nine long years, a free and fair national election was held. Campaigning with the sheaf of paddy symbol, Begum Khaleda Zia traversed the entire country day and night, starting her campaign from the shrine of Hazrat Shahjalal (R). After addressing around 1,800 rallies and roadside meetings, she concluded her election campaign with a grand rally at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in Dhaka on 25 February. During that time, she made a record by delivering speeches at 38 rallies in a single day and staying awake for 48 consecutive hours. In Noakhali, the chant “Ango meye Khaleda, gorbo moder alada” (Our daughter Khaleda, our unique pride) echoed among the people. The 27th of February 1991 remains a historic day for Bangladesh, the BNP, and Begum Khaleda Zia. In that democratic election, the BNP won 144 seats, securing a majority. Khaleda Zia contested in five constituencies and won all of them. With the support of Jamaat-e-Islami, the BNP formed the government. On 19 March, Begum Khaleda Zia became the first female Prime Minister of Bangladesh. She took the oath on 20 March, forming a cabinet with 11 ministers and 21 state ministers. That day, she humbly traveled to the National Memorial in her own car instead of the official one. On 1 April, the 12th day of her premiership, she chaired her first cabinet meeting. On the 39th day, when a devastating cyclone struck Chattogram on 29 April, she immediately moved her office there (from 6 to 9 May) to lead the disaster response efforts personally. On 6 August, the historic bill in favor of the parliamentary government system was unanimously passed, ending 16 years of presidential rule. Through liberal economic reforms introduced by the BNP government, Bangladesh transformed from a so-called “bottomless basket” into an “emerging tiger.” For the first time in South Asia, the BNP government under Khaleda Zia introduced a free-market economy, made primary education compulsory, and established the Bangladesh Coast Guard, among many other initiatives. During this period, the Awami League began its movement demanding a caretaker government system, enforcing 173 days of hartal (general strikes). Khaleda Zia proposed the formation of a non-partisan advisory council led by the President to oversee elections. This proposal, along with the Commonwealth envoy Sir Ninian Stephen’s mediation formula—which suggested forming an interim national government with five MPs each from the ruling and opposition parties—failed due to the Awami League’s refusal. In the midst of this turmoil, an unsuccessful military coup led by General Nasim also took place. On 15 February 1996, under Khaleda Zia’s leadership, the 6th national election was held, making her Prime Minister for the second time. On 25 March, the BNP government passed the Caretaker Government Bill through an overnight parliamentary session. On 30 March, President Abdur Rahman Biswas dissolved Parliament and handed power to Justice Habibur Rahman’s caretaker government, thus formally introducing the Caretaker Government System as a mechanism for peaceful transfer of power in Bangladesh. In the 7th national election on 12 June 1996, the BNP won 116 seats, becoming the largest opposition party in Parliament. Over the next five years, Begum Khaleda Zia and her party leaders faced political persecution, arrests, and killings under the Awami League government. Despite this, under her leadership, the BNP organized nationwide rallies, long marches toward the Chittagong Hill Tracts, road marches, mass processions, and sit-in programs protesting misrule and corruption. On 30 November 1999, a meeting chaired by Khaleda Zia at 29 Minto Road led to the formation of the Four-Party Alliance, uniting forces for a combined movement, elections, and future government formation. Though Ershad later left the alliance, Nazibur Rahman Manju’s faction of the Jatiya Party remained. Finally, on 15 July 2001, the Awami League handed over power to a caretaker government led by Justice Latifur Rahman. In the October 1, 2001 general election, the BNP-led Four-Party Alliance won 215 seats and formed the government on 10 October. Despite numerous challenges, the government achieved significant progress—ensuring cheating-free public examinations, introducing free education for girls, and establishing or upgrading over a hundred higher education institutions. Major advancements were made in communication infrastructure, and the establishment of the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and a free media environment marked this era as a time of reform, stability, and modernization. One-Eleven and the BNP On 28 October 2006, the BNP handed over power to the caretaker government. Although the Awami League and the 14-party alliance initially announced participation in the 22 January 2007 election, they later boycotted it. On that same 28 October, seven people were killed at Paltan Maidan during a violent logi-boitha (stick and oar) rally organized by the opposition. The Awami League opposed the formation of the caretaker government led by Justice K.M. Hasan and the Election Commission led by Justice M.A. Aziz. On 11 January 2007, the three armed forces chiefs and nine GOCs met with President Iajuddin Ahmed, forcing him to declare a state of emergency and resign as the chief adviser of the caretaker government. Thus began the so-called “abnormal” government led by Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed, backed by the military. Under the guise of anti-corruption drives, this regime launched the infamous “Minus Two Formula,” aimed at removing both political leaders — Begum Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina — from politics. The Zia family and the BNP became the primary targets of this political engineering. On 7 March 2007, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Tarique Rahman was arrested. In April, when the authorities failed to force Begum Khaleda Zia into exile, her younger son Arafat Rahman Koko was taken to an undisclosed location for 24 hours, and her passport was confiscated. That day, she firmly declared, “I have no address outside my country.” She was then placed under de facto house arrest. Meanwhile, the then BNP Secretary General Mannan Bhuiyan became instrumental in a conspiracy to divide the party. However, grassroots activists and loyal supporters across the country stood firmly against this plot. Despite being confined, Begum Khaleda Zia remained in contact with party leaders both at home and abroad through teleconferences, giving instructions to keep the BNP united. On the night of 2 September 2007, Khaleda Zia and her son Koko were arrested from their Cantonment residence. Just before her arrest, she expelled Mannan Bhuiyan and Joint Secretary General Ashraf Hossain from the party for anti-organizational activities and appointed Barrister Khandaker Delwar Hossain as the new Secretary General. The conspirators, however, formed a rival committee with Saifur Rahman as chairman and Major (Retd.) Hafizuddin Ahmed as acting secretary general, which was later recognized by Chief Election Commissioner Dr. ATM Shamsul Huda. On 5 November, from prison, Begum Khaleda Zia wrote a letter to the Election Commission requesting communication with Khandaker Delwar Hossain and Brigadier (Retd.) Hannan Shah as her official party representatives. Even from behind bars, she directed BNP leaders and activists through her lawyers. On 18 January 2008, Khaleda Zia, Tarique Rahman, and Koko were released on parole for two hours to attend the funeral of her mother. On 5 March, she appeared in the Niko case, and on 23 June and 9 July, she appeared in the GATCO case before the special court built inside the Parliament complex. She refused to register as a voter using her prison address, maintaining her stance until the last day of registration on 8 March. On 13 August, Khaleda Zia told her lawyers that she would not appeal to an illegal government for her release. Finally, on 11 September 2008, she was released, and Tarique Rahman was allowed to travel abroad for medical treatment. Her steadfast and uncompromising attitude ultimately forced the regime to lift the state of emergency and release detained political leaders. The military-backed interim government secretly proposed a power-sharing arrangement to her, but the three-time Prime Minister Khaleda Zia categorically rejected it. Despite most BNP leaders being imprisoned, exiled, or inactive, and the party being unprepared for an election, she decided to participate in the 2008 election solely for the sake of democracy. She led an exhausting nationwide campaign, tirelessly addressing rallies across the country. However, in the engineered national election of 29 December 2008, despite securing over 33% of the votes, the BNP won only 29 seats, marking one of the most controversial and politically repressive chapters in Bangladesh’s democratic history. The Struggle to Rise Again Despite a major setback in the national election, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has continued to demonstrate a positive political outlook. The party has shown remarkable tolerance regarding national, organizational, and Zia family-related issues. BNP remains committed to freeing the nation from the grip of anarchic politics and has extended a hand of cooperation to the government on various issues. However, the government has consistently engaged in undemocratic behavior and has subjected the main opposition party, BNP, to continuous repression. On January 6, 2009, BNP attended the oath-taking ceremony of the Grand Alliance government. Later, on January 25, during the first session of the National Parliament, Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and other BNP lawmakers also joined the proceedings. But from the very beginning, the Grand Alliance government began to act undemocratically. Although the oath-taking ceremony of the ruling alliance members was broadcast live on Bangladesh Television (BTV), the swearing-in of opposition members was deliberately excluded. Traditionally, the front row seats on the left side of the Parliament are reserved for the opposition, but the Speaker of the Grand Alliance government disregarded this custom, allotting only three seats to BNP and assigning the rest to the ruling party members. Moreover, the Prime Minister and other members of the ruling alliance regularly made indecent and defamatory remarks in Parliament about the martyred President Ziaur Rahman, Begum Khaleda Zia, and their son Tarique Rahman. In this way, the ruling party rendered the Parliament ineffective. On the other hand, BNP continued to uphold democratic practices both internally and nationally. After 16 years, on December 8, 2009, the party held its 5th National Council at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center, where Begum Khaleda Zia was re-elected as Chairperson and Tarique Rahman was elected as Senior Vice Chairman. The number of Standing Committee members was increased from 15 to 19. The party retained Khandaker Delwar Hossain — the trusted leader during the 1/11 political crisis — as Secretary General. Following his death on March 15, 2011, in Singapore while undergoing treatment, Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia appointed Senior Joint Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir as Acting Secretary General on March 20. This appointment was approved in the Standing Committee meeting held on April 16. The Struggle to Restore Democracy Ignoring the opinions and appeals of the entire nation, the Grand Alliance government abolished the caretaker government system from the Constitution on June 30, 2011. This move effectively established a one-party rule and shut down the path of democracy in Bangladesh. Once again, under the uncompromising leadership of Begum Khaleda Zia, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) embarked on a struggle to restore democracy. Despite facing imprisonment, repression, harassment, and countless false cases, the party has steadfastly continued its movement for the restoration of democracy over the past 15 years. Standing firmly with the people of the country, BNP has consistently demanded elections under a non-partisan and neutral caretaker government to ensure a free and fair democratic process.