Print: 28 Oct 2025
The name "Bangladesh Nationalist Party" or BNP inherently embodies a historic culture, philosophical foundation, and ideological stance. Particularly, the term "Nationalist" is not merely a political jargon but symbolizes a movement of self-identity, an alternative state philosophy, and an inclusive political ideology.
After independence, Bangladesh experienced political instability, extremism, party authoritarianism, and a one-party state system. During this period, there was an attempt to impose "Bengali Nationalism" as the sole national identity, which effectively ignored the country's religious, ethnic, and cultural diversity.
In opposition to this unidimensional thought, President Ziaur Rahman established "Bangladeshi Nationalism"—a multidimensional state philosophy shaped by history, geography, and social reality. Bangladeshi Nationalism, without denying the Bengali identity, moves towards a geographically based inclusive national identity. This philosophy recognizes the cultural uniqueness and equal rights of all groups in the country—Chakma, Marma, Santal, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, among others. Here, national identity is formed by the collective consciousness of land, history, diversity, and the experiences of its people.
From the post-independence turmoil and repression, President Ziaur Rahman realized that without an organized, ideal-driven, and people-connected political platform, building a stable state was impossible. He engaged in dialogues with veteran politicians, notably with Maulana Bhashani’s close associate Moshiur Rahman Jadu Mia, who was keen on forming an alternative national platform. Through this process, the "Nationalist Democratic Party" (JAGODAL) was formed in February 1978, which later evolved into a broader structure called the "Nationalist Front." From this emerged the "Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)," which established itself as an organized, consistent, and ideology-based political force in post-independence Bangladesh.
BNP rejects both strict secular fundamentalism and religious extremism. The party is committed to inclusive politics while respecting religious and social values in state-building. Ziaur Rahman believed, "We are Bengalis, but above all, we are Bangladeshis."
Prominent political scientist Dr. Emajuddin Ahamed considered BNP not just a political party but a socio-cultural movement whose core strength lies within the hearts of the people. According to him, BNP has moved forward with the aim of building a state based on national unity and establishing democracy through a balance of religion and culture.
BNP follows centrist politics. It neither treads the path of extreme left nor extreme right. Instead, it upholds center-right principles by respecting individual initiatives and religious-social values, while also embracing center-left attributes through its welfare-oriented state policies. On one hand, the party firmly supports personal freedom, market economy, and security; on the other hand, it supports welfare policies for farmers, laborers, and the lower-middle classes. This dual approach shapes BNP into a balanced "progressive-conservative" force, which is rational, tolerant, and inclusive.
BNP's contributions to restoring multi-party democracy, fostering self-reliance in development and production, improving infrastructure, expanding female education, and enhancing rural livelihoods are still remembered by many. The party's philosophical foundation is built on humanity, self-identity, tolerance, and the sovereignty of the people. In the current global crisis and democratic stagnation in Bangladesh, BNP’s centrist and inclusive politics have regained relevance. Overall, BNP is not merely a political party—it is a philosophical and cultural journey where national unity, religious and social coexistence, economic balance, and democratic commitments converge. In this era of division and extremism, BNP’s inclusive ideology could be seen as a realistic and humane political roadmap.
Begum Khaleda Zia has played an unparalleled role in preserving President Ziaur Rahman’s political legacy and continuing the stream of Bangladeshi Nationalism. After President Ziaur Rahman was assassinated in 1981, BNP faced a severe political crisis. During such an uncertain and grieving time, Khaleda Zia took charge of the party and skillfully revitalized it with resilience and strategy. She not only assumed leadership of BNP but also internalized and rejuvenated the essence of Ziaur Rahman’s "Bangladeshi Nationalism" and inclusive politics. Under her leadership, BNP transformed into a powerful mass-oriented platform, evolving into not just a political organization but a national movement. Her contributions, especially in female education and empowerment, are noteworthy. As the country’s first elected female Prime Minister, she opened new horizons for women's rights, education, and political participation. Her leadership helped establish women not only as voters or supporters but also as policymakers.
Khaleda Zia’s leadership was effective and well-planned in expanding BNP’s organizational strength. She organized the party at the grassroots level and turned it into a responsive and active opposition force. Despite repeated elections, movements, and state pressures, she kept BNP intact through her personality, strategy, and ideological firmness.
In the fight to protect democracy, Begum Khaleda Zia became a unique symbol. She repeatedly raised her voice against the abuse of state power, electoral irregularities, suppression of freedom of speech, and the political manipulation of the judiciary. During her tenure, BNP emphasized participatory politics involving opposition parties and the public to sustain democracy. Begum Khaleda Zia is not merely a political leader—she is an ideal-driven organizer, an advocate for women’s rights, and a defender of democracy.
On the other hand, Tareque Rahman, the capable successor of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman, has been tirelessly working to transform BNP into a modern and democratic political force. Under his leadership, BNP now presents itself as a "party of the masses"—where the rights of farmers, laborers, students, women, minorities, and marginalized communities are equally prioritized.
Tareque Rahman’s political vision is "Bangladesh for All"—an inclusive, discrimination-free, and humane state framework. He believes democracy is not merely about elections; true democracy is founded on freedom of expression, social justice, and people's participation.
Tareque Rahman has transformed Shaheed Zia’s Nationalism into a people-centered political platform through timely adaptations. In this philosophy, the focal point of state power is the people—not any family, group, or power-centric political leadership. This vision has made BNP more acceptable to the youth.
In post-liberation Bangladesh, BNP has played a crucial role in restoring self-identity. The party has established poverty alleviation, economic equity, political participation, and social justice as the core components of its politics.
Under Begum Khaleda Zia’s leadership, democracy was restored in 1991. However, from 2009 to 2024, under the Awami League’s regime, the country witnessed a fascist governance system through the suppression of opposition, institutional partisan control, corruption, and human rights violations.
In 2024, a new political awakening began at the cost of thousands of lives through a student-people's mass uprising. On May 2, 2025, Tareque Rahman reminded the nation of four pivotal milestones in Bangladesh's history—independence in 1971, the liberation of Bangladesh on November 7, the anti-autocracy victory in 1990, and the anti-fascist mass awakening in 2024. At the center of all these is the people’s sacrifice and aspiration for democracy.
Under Tareque Rahman’s leadership, BNP will adopt plans to ensure fair prices, easy loans, social protection, unemployment allowances, and advanced healthcare for farmers, the poor, working-class, and youth. Through a 31-point program, BNP aims to establish an economy free of inequality and a people-friendly welfare state by improving the living standards of farmers and marginalized groups, reducing income disparities, and ensuring political empowerment.
In Tareque Rahman’s vision, the new generation needs an inclusive, harmonious, safe, and discrimination-free state system, where freedom of expression, good governance, and humanistic values are firmly established. "Bangladesh for All" is that dream, where the people will be the true owners of state power.
Today, BNP is no longer a party reliant solely on the past; it is a vision for the future. Tareque Rahman’s thoughts, political strategies, and human-centric state philosophy are transforming the party into a modern, inclusive, and mass-oriented political force. Under his leadership, a Bangladesh will emerge where the continuous melody of freedom, justice, and human dignity will prevail.
Author: Joint Editor, Kaler Kantho
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Politics of masses through synthesis of nationalism and centrism
The name "Bangladesh Nationalist Party" or BNP inherently embodies a historic culture, philosophical foundation, and ideological stance. Particularly, the term "Nationalist" is not merely a political jargon but symbolizes a movement of self-identity, an alternative state philosophy, and an inclusive political ideology.
After independence, Bangladesh experienced political instability, extremism, party authoritarianism, and a one-party state system. During this period, there was an attempt to impose "Bengali Nationalism" as the sole national identity, which effectively ignored the country's religious, ethnic, and cultural diversity.
In opposition to this unidimensional thought, President Ziaur Rahman established "Bangladeshi Nationalism"—a multidimensional state philosophy shaped by history, geography, and social reality. Bangladeshi Nationalism, without denying the Bengali identity, moves towards a geographically based inclusive national identity. This philosophy recognizes the cultural uniqueness and equal rights of all groups in the country—Chakma, Marma, Santal, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, among others. Here, national identity is formed by the collective consciousness of land, history, diversity, and the experiences of its people.
From the post-independence turmoil and repression, President Ziaur Rahman realized that without an organized, ideal-driven, and people-connected political platform, building a stable state was impossible. He engaged in dialogues with veteran politicians, notably with Maulana Bhashani’s close associate Moshiur Rahman Jadu Mia, who was keen on forming an alternative national platform. Through this process, the "Nationalist Democratic Party" (JAGODAL) was formed in February 1978, which later evolved into a broader structure called the "Nationalist Front." From this emerged the "Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)," which established itself as an organized, consistent, and ideology-based political force in post-independence Bangladesh.
BNP rejects both strict secular fundamentalism and religious extremism. The party is committed to inclusive politics while respecting religious and social values in state-building. Ziaur Rahman believed, "We are Bengalis, but above all, we are Bangladeshis."
Prominent political scientist Dr. Emajuddin Ahamed considered BNP not just a political party but a socio-cultural movement whose core strength lies within the hearts of the people. According to him, BNP has moved forward with the aim of building a state based on national unity and establishing democracy through a balance of religion and culture.
BNP follows centrist politics. It neither treads the path of extreme left nor extreme right. Instead, it upholds center-right principles by respecting individual initiatives and religious-social values, while also embracing center-left attributes through its welfare-oriented state policies. On one hand, the party firmly supports personal freedom, market economy, and security; on the other hand, it supports welfare policies for farmers, laborers, and the lower-middle classes. This dual approach shapes BNP into a balanced "progressive-conservative" force, which is rational, tolerant, and inclusive.
BNP's contributions to restoring multi-party democracy, fostering self-reliance in development and production, improving infrastructure, expanding female education, and enhancing rural livelihoods are still remembered by many. The party's philosophical foundation is built on humanity, self-identity, tolerance, and the sovereignty of the people. In the current global crisis and democratic stagnation in Bangladesh, BNP’s centrist and inclusive politics have regained relevance. Overall, BNP is not merely a political party—it is a philosophical and cultural journey where national unity, religious and social coexistence, economic balance, and democratic commitments converge. In this era of division and extremism, BNP’s inclusive ideology could be seen as a realistic and humane political roadmap.
Begum Khaleda Zia has played an unparalleled role in preserving President Ziaur Rahman’s political legacy and continuing the stream of Bangladeshi Nationalism. After President Ziaur Rahman was assassinated in 1981, BNP faced a severe political crisis. During such an uncertain and grieving time, Khaleda Zia took charge of the party and skillfully revitalized it with resilience and strategy. She not only assumed leadership of BNP but also internalized and rejuvenated the essence of Ziaur Rahman’s "Bangladeshi Nationalism" and inclusive politics. Under her leadership, BNP transformed into a powerful mass-oriented platform, evolving into not just a political organization but a national movement. Her contributions, especially in female education and empowerment, are noteworthy. As the country’s first elected female Prime Minister, she opened new horizons for women's rights, education, and political participation. Her leadership helped establish women not only as voters or supporters but also as policymakers.
Khaleda Zia’s leadership was effective and well-planned in expanding BNP’s organizational strength. She organized the party at the grassroots level and turned it into a responsive and active opposition force. Despite repeated elections, movements, and state pressures, she kept BNP intact through her personality, strategy, and ideological firmness.
In the fight to protect democracy, Begum Khaleda Zia became a unique symbol. She repeatedly raised her voice against the abuse of state power, electoral irregularities, suppression of freedom of speech, and the political manipulation of the judiciary. During her tenure, BNP emphasized participatory politics involving opposition parties and the public to sustain democracy. Begum Khaleda Zia is not merely a political leader—she is an ideal-driven organizer, an advocate for women’s rights, and a defender of democracy.
On the other hand, Tareque Rahman, the capable successor of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman, has been tirelessly working to transform BNP into a modern and democratic political force. Under his leadership, BNP now presents itself as a "party of the masses"—where the rights of farmers, laborers, students, women, minorities, and marginalized communities are equally prioritized.
Tareque Rahman’s political vision is "Bangladesh for All"—an inclusive, discrimination-free, and humane state framework. He believes democracy is not merely about elections; true democracy is founded on freedom of expression, social justice, and people's participation.
Tareque Rahman has transformed Shaheed Zia’s Nationalism into a people-centered political platform through timely adaptations. In this philosophy, the focal point of state power is the people—not any family, group, or power-centric political leadership. This vision has made BNP more acceptable to the youth.
In post-liberation Bangladesh, BNP has played a crucial role in restoring self-identity. The party has established poverty alleviation, economic equity, political participation, and social justice as the core components of its politics.
Under Begum Khaleda Zia’s leadership, democracy was restored in 1991. However, from 2009 to 2024, under the Awami League’s regime, the country witnessed a fascist governance system through the suppression of opposition, institutional partisan control, corruption, and human rights violations.
In 2024, a new political awakening began at the cost of thousands of lives through a student-people's mass uprising. On May 2, 2025, Tareque Rahman reminded the nation of four pivotal milestones in Bangladesh's history—independence in 1971, the liberation of Bangladesh on November 7, the anti-autocracy victory in 1990, and the anti-fascist mass awakening in 2024. At the center of all these is the people’s sacrifice and aspiration for democracy.
Under Tareque Rahman’s leadership, BNP will adopt plans to ensure fair prices, easy loans, social protection, unemployment allowances, and advanced healthcare for farmers, the poor, working-class, and youth. Through a 31-point program, BNP aims to establish an economy free of inequality and a people-friendly welfare state by improving the living standards of farmers and marginalized groups, reducing income disparities, and ensuring political empowerment.
In Tareque Rahman’s vision, the new generation needs an inclusive, harmonious, safe, and discrimination-free state system, where freedom of expression, good governance, and humanistic values are firmly established. "Bangladesh for All" is that dream, where the people will be the true owners of state power.
Today, BNP is no longer a party reliant solely on the past; it is a vision for the future. Tareque Rahman’s thoughts, political strategies, and human-centric state philosophy are transforming the party into a modern, inclusive, and mass-oriented political force. Under his leadership, a Bangladesh will emerge where the continuous melody of freedom, justice, and human dignity will prevail.
Author: Joint Editor, Kaler Kantho