Chittagong Bureau

Barrister Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin, Co-organizing Secretary of BNP Central Committee, said that in 1978, former president Shahid Ziaur Rahman Bir Uttam, the herald of independence, founded BNP. BNP’s strong role in the development of the country including the practice and development of multi-party democracy in Bangladesh has always been appreciated by the people. Awami League killed the democracy in Bakshali system only to have absolute power.

Martyr President Ziaur Rahman revived that dead democracy by establishing BNP. BNP has worked for the welfare of the country and people by sitting in the state power in fair and participatory elections. BNP has played the role of vigilant watchman to protect the independence and sovereignty of the country. BNP’s uncompromising role in Rajpath under the leadership of Begum Khaleda Zia is a bright chapter in history.

He said this while paying floral tributes on behalf of Chittagong Metropolitan BNP at the first shrine of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman in Rangunia on the occasion of the 46th founding anniversary of BNP on Sunday afternoon. Metropolitan BNP convenor Alhaj Ershad Ullah and member secretary Nazimur Rahman were present at the time.

On the occasion of the foundation anniversary Sunday (September 1) at noon, leaders and activists paid floral tributes on behalf of Chittagong Metropolitan BNP at the first shrine of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman in Rangunia. Thousands of people thronged the shrine to pay their respects. The leaders and activists of BNP and its organizations continued to appear in the shrine premises since morning. The activists vowed to build a new Bangladesh with the people.

However, the purpose of expressing sympathy for the flood-affected helpless people and to stand by them is to celebrate the anniversary ceremony on a limited scale. This is the first time after many years that thousands of people have been able to attend Shahid Zia’s burial site. In the past there were various restrictions on marches and entry of activists due to police barricades. After the tribute, a special prayer was offered for the soul of the late leader. Special prayers were offered for former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia’s recovery from illness and Tarek Rahman, acting chairman of the party, to return to the country. BNP leader Yachin Chowdhury Liton led the prayer.

At the time, Ershad Ullah said that BNP leaders and activists have sacrificed their lives for the restoration of democracy in exile. BNP is now the most popular party among the countrymen as a result of BNP’s initiatives for upholding democracy and economic prosperity. Keeping the trust and faith of the people intact, BNP will continue to play a strong role in the days to come by devoting themselves to the service of the country, God willing. I pay my deepest respect to all the leaders and workers of the party who have died since their birth and the one and half decade of Awami fascism and those who lost their lives recently in the bloody movement of the students and recently those who died in the floods in the eastern region.

Nazimur Rahman said, now is the time to bring democracy back from exile. The self-sacrifice of the martyrs in the democratic movement for a century and a half will be worthwhile only if the rule of law, freedom of expression, press and judiciary can be ensured. On the auspicious occasion of the foundation anniversary, let us pledge to make Bangladesh a peaceful civil rights protection country free from all evil including oppression and torture.

Metropolitan BNP leader Alhaj MA Aziz, Syed Azam Uddin, SK Khoda Totan, Harun Zaman, Niaz Mohammad Khan, Iqbal Chowdhury, SM Saiful Alam, Kazi Belal Uddin, Shah Alam, RU Chowdhury Shaheen, Yachin Chowdhury Liton, Ahmedul Alam Chowdhury Russell, Anwar Hossain Lipu, Manjur Alam Chowdhury Monju, Md. Kamrul Islam, Mahanagar Youth Dal President Mosharraf Hossain Dipti, General Secretary Mohammad Shahed, Volunteers Dal President HM Rashed Khan, General Secretary Belayet Hossain Bulu, Chhatra Dal Convener Saiful Alam, Member Secretary Shariful Islam Tuhin and a large number of leaders of BNP and organizations were present.