BNP pays tributes to party founder Ziaur Rahman

BNP and its associated bodies paid rich tributes to late president Ziaur Rahman on Friday, marking his 44th martyrdom.

Leaders and activists, led by BNP Standing Committee Member Mirza Abbas, laid floral wreaths at the grave of BNP founder at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital.

After standing in silence for some time, they laid wreaths at the grave and then held a prayer service seeking forgiveness for the former president Ziaur Rahman's soul in the afterlife.

Despite the rain, thousands of leaders and activists led small processions from different wards in Dhaka and gathered at Zia's grave in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.

They wore black badges on their chests and chanted slogans in remembrance of the party’s founder.

On the occasion, BNP senior leaders Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Gaishwar Chandra Rai, Salahuddin Ahmed, AHM Mahbub Uddin Khokon, Dr AZM Zahid Hossain, Lutfozzaman Babar, Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie, and Amanullah Aman were present at the programme.

In addition to the Standing Committee and party chariperson’s Advisory Council members, central leader Mir Sarafat Ali Sapu, Sultan Salauddin Tuku, Mir Newaz Ali, Mir Ali Newaz, Saiful Alam Nirob, Taiful Islam Tipu, SM Jahangir, Aminul Haque, Tanvir Ahmed Robin and others paid rich tribute to Ziaur Rahman.

Afterwards, they attended a prayer service organised by the Nationalist Ulema Party at the graveyard.

Many branches and affiliate organisations of the party, including its Dhaka Metropolitan North and South units, the Muktijoddha Dal, Jubo Dal, Swechchha Sebak Dal, Krishak Dal, Mahila Dal, Tanti Dal, Matsyajibi Dal, Doctors Association, Engineers Association, Sammilito Peshajibi Parishad, also placed wreaths at the grave.

Except for everyone else, only CA doesn't want election: Abbas

After placing the wreaths at the grave of BNP founder; party's Standing Committee Member Mirza Abbas told reporters that except for everyone else, only Chief Adviser Prof Mohammad Yunus does not want to hold of the national election.

“If the national election is not held by December, the countrymen will make the election happen, otherwise, the country’s geographical integrity will be at risk."

He also came down heavily on the chief adviser, now on a state visit to Japan, as Yunus said, only the BNP wants the national election.

“I am with great regret saying that Mr. Yunus was defaming the BNP, staying in Japan. Did he feel not a bit ashamed, defaming the country abroad? He (Yunus) said only BNP wants the election, but we want to say only a person does not want the election and he is Dr Yunus,” he said.

Specific roadmap for JS polls by Dec must be announced: Salahuddin

BNP's another Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed urged the interim government to announce a specific roadmap to hold the national election in a free, fair and inclusive manner by December of the current year.

The entire nation has been calling for a free and fair national election, and the BNP is lending its support to the people’s demand, he added. 

After paying rich tribute to Ziaur Rahman; he said this while addressing a function in Dhaka, on Friday.

Referring to Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman’s contribution to the Liberation War in 1971, he said the BNP founder has introduced a multi-party democracy and a judicial council to ensure independence in the judiciary.

Later, he was brutally killed to halt the country’s progress and democracy by hatching a deep-rooted conspiracy, said the BNP leader.

As part of an eight-day programme to mark Zia’s passing, a free medical camp was opened at the Naya Paltan central office in the morning by the Jubo Dal. Specialist doctors are seeing patients and providing medicine for free throughout the day.

The BNP and its affiliates have published posters with Ziaur Rahman's picture at the central office. Special supplements have been published in newspapers.

After paying homage at Zia's grave, BNP Standing Committee members inaugurates a food distribution programme among the needy at various spots in the north and south of the metropolis, including T&T College on Manik Mia Avenue, the High Court area, the Gulshan-2 Dhaka City Corporation Market, the Vasabo Field, Dhanmondi’s Abahani Field, the Dhanmondi KFC, Kalabagan, Dhaka Medical College and the party headquarters in Naya Paltan.

On Aug 15, 1975, a group of army personnel killed the Father of the nation og Bangladedh; Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family. Zia then became the army chief.

After the “Sepahi-Janata Revolution” on Nov 7 of that year, Zia became the deputy chief martial law administrator under President Justice ASM Sayem. He became the chief martial law administrator on Apr 21, 1977. He was sworn in as the president on Apr 21, 1978.

On May 30, 1981, Zia was shot dead by a group of soldiers in Chattogram. The BNP observes the occasion as “Martyrdom Day”.

To pay tribute to the party founder, the party’s flag was lowered and black flags were hoisted at the party's central office in Naya Paltan and the BNP Chairperson's Office in Gulshan on Friday morning.