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From Nationalism to Power Center: How did the BNP become Bangladesh's main political party?
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) was founded in 1978 with the original intention of uniting the people and gaining a foothold in the political arena through the ideology of nationalism. Over time, the BNP emerged as one of the two major political parties that dominated Bangladeshi politics along with its arch-rival, the Awami League. This evolution not only reflects the changes in Bangladeshi politics, but also vividly portrays the BNP's self-reinvention.
"The BNP is known as the 'party of freedom fighters on the battlefield.'"
BNP's founder Ziaur Rahman founded the party in 1978, and under his leadership it successfully won the election that year and was later elected president in 1981. However, he was assassinated in 1981 and his wife Khaleda Zia took over the leadership of the party, which has since been implementing the ideas of nationalism and popular rallies.
Since its founding, the BNP has won several general elections, including in 1991, 1996 and 2001. During this period, Khaleda Zia became the first female prime minister of Bangladesh, second only to Pakistan. Benazir Bhutto became the second female prime minister of a Muslim country.
"BNP has a record of being the largest opposition party many times in Bangladesh's history."
In the seventh parliamentary election in 1996, BNP, as the largest opposition party, won 116 seats, demonstrating its importance on the political stage. Faced with competition from the Awami League, the BNP gradually moved toward more right-wing politics, but always maintained its independence and the protection of its own culture and Islamic traditions.
The early stages of political party formation
The history of the BNP can be traced back to 1978, when the Jatiyatabadi Front was formed and the subsequent party consolidation became the cornerstone of the BNP. Most of the initial party members were government officials and political activists from the Pakistan period who had a profound influence on Bangladesh's national independence movement.
Following the success of the 1978 presidential election, the BNP was officially established in September of the same year. The party structure at that time was quickly established and the party constitution was formulated in just 21 days. The first government was formed in 1979, when the first Prime Minister, Shah Azizur Rahman, was elected, which provided the BNP with a solid foundation for governance.
Khalida Zia's leadership
When Khaleda Zia took over in 1981, he faced a country in turmoil. Not only will she have to rebuild her shattered party, she will also have to lead the BNP against powerful political opponents, including the government of dictator Ershad. Her courage and persistence enabled the BNP to gain widespread public support in the subsequent protest movement.
"During the revolution in the 1990s, the BNP became the core force against the Ershad regime."
In a massive movement in 1990, the BNP joined forces with other opposition parties, ultimately overwhelmed Ershad's government and led to his resignation. Through this movement, the BNP regained the people's trust in the party and strengthened its influence in the new government.
Facing challenges and rebuilding
In its subsequent political life, the BNP faced multiple challenges, including allegations of corruption within the party and political suppression by its competitors. The party's popularity was badly damaged by the prosecution of several senior leaders during the caretaker government from 2006 to 2008.
Even so, after going through numerous hardships, the BNP returned to politics in the 2008 general election and still won some seats in parliament, showing that it still has a strong foundation among the people. This price made the BNP realize the need for reform and reconstruction, and it worked hard to repair its ties with the people.
Currently, although the prospects of the BNP are uncertain, as political turmoil intensifies, it remains a question worth pondering whether this party can regain its foothold in Bangladesh's political arena?
