BNP marks its birthday with tribute, tree planting

The ruling BNP yesterday marked its 48th founding anniversary with programmes across the country.

Party Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, accompanied by senior party leaders, paid tribute to his parents, party founder Ziaur Rahman and late chairperson Khaleda Zia, at their graves in Zia Udyan.

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He placed wreaths alongside members of the BNP Standing Committee and other central leaders in the morning and offered prayers.

Tarique later planted trees at Zia Udyan and released fish into Crescent Lake as part of the anniversary programmes. After his departure, leaders and activists of BNP and affiliated bodies arrived in succession to place flowers.

Speaking at Zia Udyan, BNP acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi expressed hope that normal gas supply nationwide would be restored by the first or second week of September.

Responding to questions, he said the party and the government had distinct functions, though responsibility for running the country rested with the BNP and its allies. “The party is in its place, and the government is in its place.”

Rizvi said there was no contradiction in ministers retaining organisational posts, arguing that they could carry out party responsibilities alongside their duties in government.

The day’s programmes began with the hoisting of national and party flags at the BNP central office in Nayapaltan and the chairman’s office in Gulshan.

At noon, Rizvi inaugurated a free medical camp organised by the Doctors Association of Bangladesh at the Nayapaltan office.

The BNP is observing a five‑day programme centrally to mark the anniversary, including tree‑planting and fish‑release events nationwide and a discussion in Dhaka on September 5.

Senior leaders also joined programmes outside the capital.

In Chattogram, Standing Committee member and Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury urged collective effort to put the country “on the right track”.

In Sylhet, Standing Committee member and Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed called for building a society free of discrimination and based on justice.

“No fascist or mafia force will emerge again. We are working toward such a constitutional amendment,” he declared.

Meanwhile, the festive spirit was marred in Munshiganj, Chattogram, and Patuakhali, where rival factions engaged in clashes and counter‑chases.

In Munshiganj’s Sreenagar, supporters of local lawmaker Sheikh Abdullah and BNP Central Volunteer Affairs Secretary Mir Sarafat Ali Sapu clashed during separate programmes, leaving at least nine people injured.

In Chattogram’s Sitakunda, two BNP groups clashed with sticks and hurled brickbats during rival processions in the South Bypass area, leaving several people injured.

A similar clash took place in Patuakhali’s Galachipa over an anniversary rally.