Dhaka, Sept 02 (V7N) – The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) observed its 48th founding anniversary on Tuesday with rallies, processions and discussion meetings in several districts, including Rangamati, Habiganj, Sylhet, Pabna and Jhalakathi.

In Rangamati, the district BNP organised a discussion meeting and a colourful rally attended by a large number of leaders and activists of the party and its affiliated organisations.

The day’s programme began in the morning with the hoisting of the national and party flags at the Rangamati district BNP office. A discussion meeting and rally were held later in the afternoon.

District BNP President Dipan Talukder Dipu chaired the gathering, while BNP Central Committee Co-Secretary for Religious Affairs and Rangamati-299 MP Dipen Dewan attended as the chief guest.

The rally began from the Rangamati municipal premises, passed through the city’s main roads and ended at the New Market area. Leaders and activists of the BNP, Jubo Dal, Chhatra Dal, Fishermen’s Party and other affiliated organisations joined the procession carrying national and party flags and chanting slogans.

In Habiganj, the district BNP organised a large colourful rally and gathering to mark the anniversary.

The procession began at around 5:30 pm from the Central Eidgah in Shayestanagar and passed through the main streets of the city. Before the rally, BNP Central Organising Secretary, National Parliament Whip and Habiganj-3 MP GK Gaus addressed a gathering at the Eidgah.

Gaus said the BNP had made significant contributions to democracy in Bangladesh and claimed that the party had played a leading role in establishing multiparty democracy.

He said the BNP had gained public support through political movements and would know how to respond if democracy in Bangladesh faced another threat.

He also criticised the previous Awami League government, accusing it of taking away people’s voting rights and misappropriating public resources in the name of development.

Other speakers included Habiganj-1 MP Dr Reza Kibria and Habiganj-2 MP Dr Sakhawat Hasan Jibon.

In Sylhet, the Sylhet Metropolitan BNP organised a large colourful rally from the city’s Registry Field.

Addressing a brief gathering before the procession, Sylhet-1 MP and Commerce, Industry, Jute and Textiles Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir said the people had placed great expectations on the BNP and party leader Tarique Rahman to rebuild the country and establish a desired state following the fall of the previous authoritarian government.

He urged party leaders and activists to put Bangladesh and the interests and welfare of the people above everything else.

The gathering was chaired by Sylhet Metropolitan BNP President Nasim Hossain and conducted by General Secretary Imdad Hossain Chowdhury. BNP National Executive Committee Joint Organising Secretary Miftah Siddiqui and Jalalabad Gas Director Badruzzaman Selim were also present.

In Pabna, the district BNP marked the anniversary with a colourful rally through the city’s main roads.

The day’s programme began with the hoisting of the national and party flags at the district BNP office. A procession later left the party office, passed through major streets and returned to the same location.

Pabna Sadar MP Advocate Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas addressed a brief discussion meeting following the rally.

District BNP Convener Habibur Rahman Habib, Member Secretary Advocate Masud Khandaker and other senior party leaders were present.

In Kathalia of Jhalakathi, the upazila BNP organised a colourful rally and street meeting to mark the party’s 48th founding anniversary.

The rally began at noon and passed through the main roads of the upazila before ending in front of the party office, where a brief street meeting was held.

Jhalakathi-1 MP Rafiqul Islam Jamal attended the programme as the chief guest.

The meeting was chaired by Upazila BNP Acting President Md Jalalur Rahman Aken, while General Secretary Md Akhtar Hossain Nizam Mirbar delivered remarks.

A large number of BNP leaders and activists from the upazila’s six unions and its affiliated organisations took part in the programme.

END/CRO/SMA/