ter his assumption of power during Bangladesh"s volatile period of martial law from 1975 till 1979. The BNP also accommodated not just his supporters, but also those traditionally opposed to its principal rival, the Awami League. Ideologically, the party has professed Bangladeshi nationalism, described as the Islamic consciousness of the people of Muslim majority Bangladesh, in order to counter the secular Awami League. The BNP has been opposed to communism and socialism since its inception and advocates vigorous free market policies. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party has held power in Bangladesh for five separate terms. Amongst its leaders, four have become President of Bangladesh and two have become Prime Minister of Bangladesh. Within the party, power has remained exclusively in the hands of the Zia family, with Begum Khaleda Zia leading the party since the assassination of Ziaur Rahman, her husband and the party"s founder. Party Ideology:
Ideologically, the party has professed Bangladeshi nationalism, described as the Islamic consciousness of the people of Muslim majority Bangladesh, in order to counter the secular Awami League. BNP promotes a very center-right policy combining elements of conservatism, corporatism, nationalism, militarism, anti-anarchism and anti-communism. It is more popular among the country"s business class, military, and conservatives. The party believes that Islam is an integral part of the socio-cultural life of Bangladesh, and favors Islamic principles as well as cultural views. Principles:
The main principles of BNP are:
1. Nationalism
3. Democracy
4. Socialism (Meaning to economics and social justice)
Objectives and Aim:
The aim and objectives of the Jatiyatabadi Dal are stated in its proclamation elaborately. In brief, the aim and objectives of this party have stated in below:
(a) To fortify and strengthen independence, sovereignty, security, state integration and democracy of Bangladesh through strong mass unity based on Bangladeshi nationalism. (b) To protect Bangladesh from colonialism, expansionism, neo-colonialism, authoritarianism and attack of external forces through economic solvency of the united and revived nation. (c) To acquire pro-people economic development and national progress based on social justice through politics of production, free market economy and people’s democracy. (d) To make the people conscious and organized in village and city based on nationalist unity and take complete development projects and reach the ability and authority of implementation of the projects to the people. (e) To create such a healthy environment in where the root of the democracy will be reach at mind of the common people. (f) To ensure such a clear and stable social and political system through which the people themselves can bring their humanitarian, social and economic development. (g) To establish stable democracy through parliamentary democratic government elected by direct vote of the people based on multi-party politics and bring equitable national progress and development. (h) To set up the foundation of Jatiya Sangsad strongly as the safeguard of democratic life and democratic regulations and preserve the fundamental rights of the people. (i) To oppose and create public opinion against activities of under ground political organizations and formation any armed cadres, parties or agencies. (j) To revive the pro-people social values in the national life and bring productive and creative spirit of life back. (k) To establish equitable economy based on justice in national life through realistic, effective development process so that all the Bangladeshi citizens get the chance of fulfilling their minimum demands of food, cloth, habitation and education. (l) To give priority on the programmes of complete village development and ensure happiness-peace and progress of rural areas of the country through active mass efforts. (m) To proper and realistic utilize of all manpower including women and youth. (n) To take realistic economic plan and set up well balanced labour management and ensure maximum production in industrial sector through well labour policy. (o) To preserve, develop and accelerate of Bangla language and literature and culture and sports of Bangladesh. (p) To preserve era old sentiment of the Bangladeshi people through giving chance of learning about Islam-religion of the major Bangladeshi people and other religions, specially expansion of education for the backward people and give them more facilities and chance to take part in greater national life. To protect international friendship, good term and equality in foreign policy based on neutral alliance. To fortify and strengthen relationship and friendship with neighbouring counties, ally countries in third world and friendly Muslim countries based on sovereignty and equality.
2.Organizational Policies and Structures:
The Nationalist Party will be extended from ward, primary stage of union, to national stage. The organization structures of the party will be as below:
(1) Ward council and ward executive committee of union
(2) Ward council and ward executive committee of pouroshova
(3) Union council and union executive committee
(4) Upazila/thana council and upazila/thana executive committee
(5) Pouroshova council and pouroshova executive commitee
(6) Zilla council and Zilla executive committee
(7) Mahanagar ward council and Mahanagar ward executive committee
(8) Mahanagar thana council and Mahanagar thana executive committee
(9) Mahanagar council and Mahanagar executive committee
(10) National Council
(11) National Executive Committee
(12) National Standing Committee
(13) Parliamentary Board
(14) Parliamentary Party
(15) Organization in abroad
National Unity:
During the formation of BNP, the country was divided into various parts. But BNP emphasize on national unity. For this, the party founder Ziaur Rahman allowed Sheikh Hasina, exile daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to do politics and also Islamic parties which are known as ‘anti-liberation forces’ to do politics. Foreign Policy:
BNP remained a neutral stance in the country’s foreign policy. After the independence, Bangladesh is known to pro-India and Soviet and BNP tries to maintain foreign relationship with all quarters. Formation of Government:
Zia led Government:
After the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the country faced no government for nearly three years. Through many incidents, then Major Ziaur Rahman took the responsibility of running the country. Being President, he gave the second national election of the country where his BNP won 207 seats and Malek Ukil led Awami League bagged 39 seats. Abdus Sattar led Government:
After two years of his government, Ziaur Rahman was killed and party leader Abdus Sattar led the government. Khaleda Zia led first Government (Fifth Parliament):
On March 19, 1991, Begum Khaleda Zia was elected prime minister in the fifth natinal parliament election of the people’s republic of Bangladesh. Her government introduced parliamentary democracy in the country. On April 2, she on behalf of the government proposed this bill and on same she proposed the bill of eleventh amendments to the constitution to create opportunity to go back chief advisor Justice Shahbuddin Ahmed to her own post. Khaleda Zia led second Government (Sixth Parliament):
She became Prime Minister for the second consecutive term after the BNP had a landslide victory in 15 February 1996 general election to the sixth Jatiya Sangsad. The election was, however, boycotted by all other major parties. Khaleda Zia led third Government (Eight Parliament):
Aiming to return to power, the BNP formed a four-party opposition alliance on 6 January 1999 with the Jatiya Party, the Jamaat-e-Islami and the Islami Oikya Jote and launched several agitation programmes against the ruling Awami League. The alliance then participated in the 1 October general election and won the polls with a two-third majority and Khaleda Zia was once again sworn in as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. The BNP restored the parliamentary system through the 12th amendment to the Constitution in 1991 and introduced the Caretaker Government through 13th amendment to the Constitution in 1996. Present Leadership:
The wife of BNP founder Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, Begum Khaleda Zia is leading the party. Besides, elder son of Ziaur Rahman, Tarique Rahman, is the party’s senior vice chairman.
