By Ali Hasan

 Since its formation as an influential political party in Bangladesh on 1 September 1978 by former Bangladeshi President Zia ur Rahman after the Presidential election of 1978, with a view of uniting the people with a nationalist ideology, BNP has faced many challenges and obstacles from internal and external entities as well.  The party leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party BNP always faced hurdles in the way of the progress of the party and state with strong determination and strength. Moreover, under the leadership of Khaleda Zia, this party has ruled Bangladesh three times, marked as the golden period of Bangladesh’s history. 

Begum Khaleda Zia, who is famous for her strong leadership faced a downfall after the elections of 2007, as Awami League won the elections and Sheikh Hasina was appointed as Prime Minister of Bangladesh. Since then, BNP’s leaders and activists are being demotivated by imposing situations and conditions within the state. Moreover, the party leader Begum Khaleda Zia was arrested on corruption charges and other serious allegations. The acting chairperson Tarique Rahman, son of Begum Khaleda Zia has long been in exile being subjected to the government’s political vengeance.

Besides facing all the serious situations in the state, the party leader of BNP, Begum Khaleda Zia never give up and kept on struggling hard to restore her party position although she was accused of serious allegations. The elections of 2014 and 2018 remained highly controversial in the history of Bangladesh which BNP showed its reaction by boycotting the elections as democracy was under threat and being overruled by the ruling party, AL’s head Sheikh Hasina. Furthermore, the Japanese ambassador to Bangladesh Ito stated that Japan expected that the next general elections in Bangladesh would be free and fair expressing concern over the 2018 elections as it was more focused on violence. According to a report from the United News of Bangladesh, the Japanese ambassador also depicted that it was unlikely to see a full-scale Rohingya repatriation anytime soon due to the situation in Myanmar at this moment.

 He further stated that Bangladesh is now hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char and not a single Rohingya was repatriated over the last five years. More than five years have passed. The situation is very unfortunate. Repatriation is of course the priority and Japan is ready to work with the government of Bangladesh for the repatriation of the Rohingyas.

 Moreover, in the forthcoming elections of 2023 in Bangladesh, BNP has risen with great manpower and public strength as it never compromised on the ideology of the state and remained patient in times of trials and situations. The organization of peaceful rallies and protests by using democratic rights in Bangladesh and focusing on the common people and citizens’ rights in Bangladesh, is another positive gesture for Bangladesh as BNP has always prioritized democracy and never exceeded the limits. But still, now BNP’s leaders and activists are in crisis as police arrested three BNP men on 14^th November 2022 in connection with cases filed against them earlier in Habiganj. The three are Hafizur Rahman Khan, president of the Gupaya union unit of BNP, Vice President Abdul Hamid of the same unit, and its former convener Md Shaheen Mia. Moreover, Habiganj district BNP Senior Joint Convener GK Gaus announced, a mass rally is scheduled to be held in Sylhet on November 19. So, to disrupt the work surrounding, The police picked up three of the leaders of the BNP from their homes. Moreover, he claimed that There was no case against them. Moreover, Police arrested five people, including Rubel Ahmed, president of Maulvibazar district unit Chhatra Dal, in the Chaumuhana area of ​​Moulvibazar on 13^th November 2022 while they were distributing leaflets for their party's Sylhet divisional rally.

Besides facing all the hurdles and difficulties, BNP is standing firm to support the people of Bangladesh and the state. The party has enhanced its determination and strong will to restore Bangladesh’s ideology under the leadership of Begum Khaleda Zia. It seems that no allegation or obstacle can stop BNP to participate in forthcoming elections with full potential and strength. The public support and the ideological strength of the BNP could help come up with the expectations of the public and the party itself as a leading party in forthcoming elections in December 2023.

References;

• The Daily Star MONDAY, November 14, 2022, 3 BNP men arrested ahead of Sylhet rally

https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/crime-justice/news/3-bnp-men-arrested-ahead-sylhet-rally-3168941

• https://www.newagebd.net/article/186393/japan-wants-free-fair-polls-in-bangladesh-says-envoy

• https://www.refworld.org/docid/560b91664.html