BSS) - Today marks the 48th founding anniversary of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), founded by Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman.

The party began its journey on September 1, 1978. Ziaur Rahman, the party`s founding chairman, was at the forefront of organising the party and led it until he was assassinated by a group of disgruntled military personnel in 1981.

To mark the anniversary, BNP has announced a five-day programme.

As part of the programme, Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman paid tributes to Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia by placing wreaths at their graves in the capital`s Zia Udyan this morning.

A discussion is scheduled to be held on September 5.

The party will also organise a fish fry release programme on a suitable date under the leadership of its Joint Secretary General Habibun Nabi Khan Sohel. A tree plantation campaign will be led by BNP Joint Secretary General and Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anne.

After Ziaur Rahman`s assassination, his wife Begum Khaleda Zia took over the leadership of the party and served as its chairperson until her death.

However, after her imprisonment in false cases in 2018, her son Tarique Rahman served as the party`s acting chairman.

After the demise of Begum Khaleda Zia last year, Tarique Rahman took charge as the party chief.

Under the leadership of Begum Khaleda Zia, the BNP won the nine-year-long struggle against dictator Ershad by waging a mass uprising.

Begum Khaleda Zia gained the reputation of an `uncompromising national leader` through her uncompromising fight against the dictatorship.

Under the leadership of Begum Khaleda Zia, the BNP won a majority in the 1991 national elections and formed the government.

After overcoming various conspiracies, the BNP came to power again in 2001 by gaining a majority under the leadership of Begum Khaleda Zia.

Since the 1/11 changeover in 2007, the BNP faced various obstacles and endured torture and oppression until 2024.

In order to confront the fascist Awami League regime, numerous leaders and activists of the party, including then party chief Begum Khaleda Zia, were subjected to indescribable torture and oppression.

Many were subjected to enforced disappearances and murders.

The role and sacrifice of the BNP, along with the students and the public, in the mass uprising of 2024 was immense.

The 16-year-long fascist regime collapsed on August 5, 2024, in the mass uprising, and fascist Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country.

During Sheikh Hasina`s long rule, the BNP could not hold any meetings without hindrance. The BNP was obstructed in various ways by the state apparatus and the then ruling party cadres.

In the 13th national election held on February 12 this year, the BNP again achieved a landslide victory and a two-thirds majority in parliament. The BNP formed the government under the leadership of Tarique Rahman.