Former President Ziaur Rahman was martyred by a group of errant army personnel at the Chittagong Circuit House on May 30, 1981. Various political parties and some media predicted that BNP would not survive in the absence of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman. BNP, a child of just under three years old, not only survived, but also moved forward at a great pace under the strong, independent and visionary leadership of housewife Begum Khaleda Zia. Not only that, BNP fought against the powerful dictator and after a decade, in 1991, BNP was given the responsibility of running the country with huge support.

After the 1-11, the party was again forced to face an existential crisis by excluding Khaleda Zia. Many made various derogatory comments saying that the party had no future. But the reality is that the party founded by Shaheed Zia has survived through various ups and downs, ups and downs, ups and downs, and the game of building and breaking. Despite their best efforts, the conspirators could not suppress the BNP.

Political analysts say that this one of the largest centrist political parties in the country was born on September 1, 1978, under the leadership of President Ziaur Rahman. After four terms in power, the BNP, after a long and a half-century of incompetence, is now dreaming of returning to power. The party is able to breathe a sigh of relief. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has started dreaming of returning to power after the fall and flight of the fascist ruler Sheikh Hasina government in an unforgettable uprising by students and the public.

For the past decade and a half, everything was against BNP. After 1-11, the party's leaders and activists, including Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman, were overthrown by the army-backed regime. BNP was defeated in the 2008 elections, rigged by the Awami League's understanding with Main-Fakhruddin. The state dictatorship tried its best to eliminate it by carrying out indescribable oppression and torture. Through the non-voter elections in 2013, the night elections in 2018, and the dummy elections in 2024, BNP moved far away from the boundaries of power. The leaders and activists became very disappointed and discouraged. The shadow of disappointment was seen even at the top level.

After August 5, 2024, BNP, like many others in the new Bangladesh, has already received some benefits. Party Chairperson Khaleda Zia has been freed from the shackles of restrictions. Imprisoned leaders have been released. The oppressive cases have been settled and are being resolved. The mandatory sentences against Tarique Rahman have been canceled. The ban on the dissemination of his statements has been lifted. As a party, BNP is getting the publicity it deserves in the media. Many of BNP's ideologies are also performing important duties in the administration. The party's persecuted leaders and workers can breathe a sigh of relief. They can sleep in their homes. A breath of relief is blowing in the millions of nationalist families who have been trapped in the net of cases and have been devastated. They are not facing any obstacles in holding meetings and processions.

BNP and the Zia family, which have been out of power for almost 19 years, are still at the center of the hopes and aspirations of the larger population of Bangladesh. The party's founder, martyred President Ziaur Rahman's timeless nationalist ideals and development, production and people's democratic politics are the main strengths of BNP. Some well-wishers of the party are complaining and lamenting that there has been a slight deviation from that ideal. The fear of the 'country becoming a sanctuary for fundamentalism' or excessive left-wing love is sending the wrong message. Although BNP policymakers are reluctant to accept the accusation of ideological deviation. However, the defectors are upset due to the increasing infighting among hybrids within the party. There have also been allegations of hand-picking in committee formation. Since Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia is ill and Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is in London, the BNP defectors have commented that it is not good for those who are taking advantage of this opportunity to grab money.

According to people from different classes and professions, just as the situation in Bangladesh was before the student uprising, in August 1975, almost five decades ago, there was widespread corruption, anarchy and instability in the pre-revolutionary country. Frustration, anger, deprivation and limitless inequality. The oppressed and oppressed people were on the verge of suffocation under one-party rule. After the establishment of one-party Bakshali rule on January 25, 1975, the path to multi-party democracy, judiciary and press freedom was blocked.

Ziaur Rahman announced a 19-point program on April 30, 1977. To implement this program, he decided to contest the presidential election. At that time, the Nationalist Democratic Party (Jagdal) was established under his patronage. Vice President Justice Abdus Sattar was made the convener of this party. After the formation of Jagdal, a political alliance called the 'Nationalist Front' was formed in the same year. Ahead of the presidential election held on June 3, 1978, the Nationalist Front announced a 13-point program. General Ziaur Rahman was elected President by a large margin, defeating General Osmani in this election.

After being inaugurated as the elected President, Ziaur Rahman founded the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) through a press conference on September 1, 1978. The Jagdal and Oikyafront were dissolved. The declared 19 points were considered the main ideology of the newly formed BNP. Ziaur Rahman first became the convener of the party and later the chairman. The first Secretary General was Professor AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury. Ziaur Rahman welcomed politicians of right-wing and left-wing ideologies to shape the party as a nationalist platform on a broad basis by adopting the open door policy. At that time, more than 45 percent of the party's leaders, activists and members were newcomers to politics and young people. The main goals of the party were declared - economic development, democratic journey, steel-solid national unity on the basis of Bangladesh nationalism and the creation of a sense of self-reliance among the people. In addition, the four basic principles were unwavering trust and faith in Almighty Allah, nationalism, democracy and economic and social justice.

At the time of the establishment of BNP, the entire nation was divided. And this division was not only based on political philosophies like right, center and left, but also on whether or not they participated in the Liberation War or whether they were for or against the Liberation War. As a result, social forces like students, teachers, intellectuals, professionals and cultural workers were also divided. The bureaucrats and even the military were influenced by ideology. The main goal of forming BNP by President Zia was to eliminate this division and unify the disparate groups and factions so that the entire nation could work as a single entity. Ziaur Rahman not only gave an opportunity to his established party but also to other political parties that had disappeared due to the Baksal to openly engage in politics. Martyr President Ziaur Rahman also paved the way for the defunct Awami League to engage in politics in its own name. Which the Awami League later forgot and was involved in an evil attempt to damage BNP.

BNP has had to face many challenges. Just two years after the party was formed, Ziaur Rahman, a successful and respected statesman in history, was assassinated by some traitorous and misguided soldiers. Then, Begum Khaleda Zia, a housewife, took over the reins of the party. She developed an uncompromising image in her great fight against dictatorship. In the 1990s, she won the popular uprising and led the government through elections. In fact, the party's immense patriotism against hegemony has become a time of great struggle. Just as BNP has contributed to the development of the country by coming to power for two terms under the leadership of Begum Khaleda Zia, it has also repeatedly faced disasters due to domestic and foreign conspiracies.

The challenges ahead of the upcoming elections are different. There is a big difference between this election and the elections in which BNP has participated. In the parliamentary elections held in 1991, 1996 and 2001, anti-Awami League votes fell on the ears of BNP. Voters who are not associated with BNP politics have also chosen BNP to stop Awami League. Among them, Shaheed Zia's party got a taste of power by winning in 1991 and 2001. Despite not winning in 1996, it managed to become the largest opposition party in history. Awami League will not be there in the upcoming elections. As a result, voters will have an alternative with similar ideology. This time, BNP will have to prove that they are the best and most reliable in the politics of nationalist and Islamist ideology to attract popular votes from outside the party's leaders and activists. In other words, this time, voters will have an alternative with almost the same ideology.

Even if the Awami League cannot participate in the elections in its own name, where their votes go and what impact it has on the ballot box is also one of the challenges facing the BNP. In addition, it is unknown what will happen to about 40 percent of young voters who have not been able to vote for a decade and a half. No one knows what the voting map has taken today because the electoral system has been destroyed.

Various surveys say that almost half of the voters are undecided about who they will vote for in the next election. As a result, the 13th parliamentary election will be more difficult and challenging than any previous election. BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman has already realized this. In various speeches, he has warned the leaders and activists, saying, 'The upcoming election is not as easy as you think it will be.'

Even in politics free from its main opponent, the Awami League, the BNP's path is not smooth. Many people had hoped that Begum Khaleda Zia would recover and resume normal politics. But even after treatment in Dhaka and London, Begum Khaleda Zia's activity at the political and organizational levels is revolving in a cycle of expectations. The party's current leader, exiled acting chairman Tarique Rahman, has already been freed from the sword of punishment and lawsuits. Party leaders and activists are waiting for his return to the country. But he is still in exile in the UK due to various complex equations, including security. Tarique Rahman will return to the country before the election schedule is announced in early December.

Despite getting favorable ground in a year of the interim government, the BNP is being rocked by doubts and doubts about the elections. It is having to deal with various pressures regarding the specific roadmap for the national elections, the oppressive cases of the fallen Hasina government, the final settlement of the sentences, and the type and implementation method of state reforms in light of public aspirations. It has faced challenges in reaching an understanding with the government on various issues. There have also been tensions from time to time. Although the ice has melted in the Dr. Yunus-Tarek meeting and joint declaration in London, unknown fears still haunt the BNP. Although the roadmap for the thirteenth national parliament election has been announced in February, the party's Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has openly alleged that a section within the government is conspiring to sabotage the election.

The party has struggled throughout the past year to cope with the difficult task of keeping its leaders and activists, who were oppressed, deprived and angry during the long dictatorship, under control. More than five thousand leaders and activists have had to take punitive action. Taking action against such a large number of leaders and activists in a short period of time was not an easy task for the leadership. The party is also struggling to find its place in the new political settlement. The resurgence of Jamaat, its long-time political companion, has also increased the tension.

Meanwhile, as the elections approach, unrest is increasing in the country. One after another, undesirable incidents are taking place. Domestic and foreign evil forces are casting their eyes on the peaceful elections and the process of transition to sustainable democracy.

If BNP, as a major political force, fails to show prudence, foresight, liberalism and political wisdom in these matters, there is a risk of falling into ashes. BNP will have to show wisdom by cutting through the web of domestic and foreign conspiracies.