Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday extended felicitations to the leaders, cadres, supporters, and well-wishers of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) alongside fellow citizens on the eve of the political organization’s 48th founding anniversary, slated for observance on Tuesday.

“The establishment of BNP was a landmark event in the history of restoring democracy in Bangladesh,” he expressed within a statement released during the afternoon.

The Prime Minister remembered that Martyred President Ziaur Rahman established the BNP on August 31, 1978, at an open field located in Ramna, Dhaka.

He noted that Ziaur Rahman, upon taking charge, revived democratic governance and restored the privileges of restricted political parties to execute political pursuits, thereby clearing the path for the creation of the BNP and the resurgence of multi-party democracy throughout the nation.

Premier Tarique Rahman offered profound reverence to Martyred President Ziaur Rahman, characterizing him as the Great Proclaimer of Independence, an accomplished statesman, and the creator of contemporary Bangladesh.

He likewise honored former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia with deference, remarking that via her magnetic leadership and persona, she propelled the BNP closer to citizens across the land.

“Whenever independence, sovereignty and democracy have come under threat, BNP leaders, activists, supporters and well-wishers have sacrificed their lives alongside the pro-democracy people,” he stated.

The Prime Minister saluted BNP leaders and workers at every tier for their ultimate sacrifices throughout the crusade for democratic rights and sound administration.

He mentioned that the BNP, in partnership with the populace, had fulfilled and kept fulfilling the function of a watchful sentinel in safeguarding the nation's freedom, territorial integrity, and democracy.

Tarique Rahman stated that the BNP had been granted the mandate to govern the state whenever citizens managed to exercise their franchise via unrigged and transparent elections.

Emphasizing diverse programs initiated by BNP administrations to fortify and institutionalize democracy, encompassing the reinstatement of parliamentary democracy and the broadening of female education, he stated that following the conclusion of upwards of 15 years of “fascist rule and exploitation”, the public had once more reposed faith in the BNP to manage the nation via a free, equitable, and impartial ballot.

The Prime Minister articulated that the BNP desired to repay the public's confidence and affection by constructing a transparent state and remained engaged in shaping Bangladesh into a welfare-focused nation.

“The people who believe in democracy are the source of all political power of BNP,” he declared, adding that an alternate title for the BNP was the ongoing drive to shape a welfare-driven, democratic, and self-sufficient Bangladesh.