Bangladesh Nationalist Party
Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox political party Template:Nationalism sidebar
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (Template:Langx),<ref name="bnp-name">Template:Cite web</ref>Template:Efn popularly abbreviated as BNP (Template:IPA), is a major political party in Bangladesh. It was founded on 1 September 1978 by President Ziaur Rahman, with a view of uniting people with a nationalist ideology. Later, the BNP emerged as one of the two traditionally dominant parties in Bangladesh, along with its rival, the Awami League.Template:Efn
Known as the "Party of the Freedom Fighters of the Battlefield" during its establishment,<ref name="dhakatribune">Template:Cite news</ref> the Bangladesh Nationalist Party was founded by Ziaur Rahman after the presidential election of 1978 and remained in its leadership until he was assassinated in 1981. Following Rahman's assassination, his widow, Khaleda Zia, took over leadership of the party and presided as chairperson until her imprisonment, in 2018. Since then, Tarique Rahman, the son of Rahman and Zia, has served as acting chairperson and has run the affairs of the party from London.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Since its creation, the BNP has won the 1979 election and 1981 presidential election as well as the 1991, February 1996 and 2001 general elections.<ref name="IPU91">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Ziaur Rahman-led governments formed under the semi-presidential system and the parliamentary republics were led by Khaleda Zia, who served as prime minister.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Begum Zia, who served as the party's chairperson from 1983, became the first woman prime minister of Bangladesh and the second female prime minister of a Muslim-majority country after Pakistan's Benazir Bhutto. The party holds the record of being the largest opposition in the history of parliamentary elections of the country with 116 seats in the general election of June 1996.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Begum Khaleda Zia currently serves as the chairperson of the party, with Tarique Rahman as the acting chairman and Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir as the secretary-general. The party tends to consulate votes based on complete independence of Bangladeshi territory and a mix of Bengali and Islamic customs. It is often known to be pro-global with being very pro-China or pro-Southeast Asia and pro-Middle East to capture markets on foreign investment and remittance.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
The party has faced sustained criticism for corruption, political violence, and poor governance, particularly during its 2001–2006 tenure, with controversies such as the August 21 grenade attack, the 10-truck arms haul, and Hawa Bhaban's alleged role as a parallel power center. The party’s affiliated wings have been repeatedly accused of extortion and violence, including a 2025 daylight murder linked to its student and youth fronts, further deepening public discontent and damaging BNP’s reputation.
History
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Predecessors
JaGoDal
On 22 February 1978, a new party, Jatiyatabadi Ganatantrik Dal (JaGoDal), was formed with Justice Abdus Sattar as the coordinator. Most of the prominent figures were from the advisory council that was running the country at that time. JAGODAL was the first attempt to create a platform for the country's nationalists. Major General (retd) M. Majid ul Haq, Professor Syed Ali Ahsan, Shamsul Alam Chowdhury, A.Z.M. Enayetullah Khan, M. Hamidullah Khan, Jakaria Chowdhury, Professor Dr. M. R. Khan, and Saifur Rahman were prominent figures.Template:Sfn JAGODAL was dissolved on 28 August 1978 to consolidate its membership under the Jatiyatabadi Front.
Jatiyatabadi Front
On 1 May 1978, the Jatiyatabadi Front or Nationalist Front was formed with Ziaur Rahman as the front's chief, which JAGODAL joined soon after its formation. A major portion of NAP (Bhashani) joined the front as well with Mashiur Rahman. The election symbol of NAP (Bhashani), sheaf of paddy, would become the symbol of the BNP. Shah Azizur Rahman with some of his colleagues from Muslim League. Kazi Zafar Ahmed and a faction of United Peoples Party, Maulana Matin with his Labour Party, and minority leader Rashraj Mandal with Tafsili Jati Federation also joined.
Ziaur Rahman was their candidate for the presidential election of 3 June 1978. Ziaur Rahman won the election, defeating M. A. G. Osmani of Ganatantrik Oikya Jote (United Democratic Alliance) which was backed by the Bangladesh Awami League.Template:Sfn
Establishment
After the presidential election of 1978, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) was established on 1 September.Template:Sfn The newly established party soon emerged as a "hotchpotch" of leftists, rightists, opportunists, and Pakistan-era establishmenterians.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
The constitution of the party was drafted within 21 days of the formation with 76 members with Ziaur Rahman as the chief convener, M. Hamidullah Khan as the Executive Secretary and Dr. A. Q. M. Badruddoza Chowdhury was appointed as the Secretary-General.
During this time, it attracted a large pool of supporters and activists who joined the newly formed student wing and youth wing. After the formation of the government, the first executive committee of the party was declared. A national standing committee was formed as the highest decision-making forum of the party with 12 members.Template:Sfn
A youth wing was formed in September 1978 which was named Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Jubo Dal with Abul Kashem as its chief convener. The Dhaka unit convener was Saifur Rahman. Within a couple of months, the central executive committee of Jubo Dal was declared with Abul Kashem and Saifur Rahman as the President and general secretary respectively. Mirza Abbas became the Dhaka unit President with Kamruzzaman Ayat Ali as the Secretary-General.Template:Sfn
Early years (1979–1982)
The BNP formed its first government after the 1979 Bangladesh general election. The first session of the parliament was on 2 April 1979. It elected Shah Azizur Rahman as prime minister and leader of the parliament. Mirza Ghulam Hafiz was elected as the speaker of the parliament. Asaduzzaman Khan from the Awami League became the leader of the opposition.
On 30 May 1981, the founder of the party President Ziaur Rahman was assassinated in the Chittagong Circuit House by a small group of military officials. After the assassination of Ziaur Rahman, large crowds started protesting in major cities including Dhaka and Chittagong.Template:Sfn The funeral of Ziaur Rahman became a huge event with the participation of millions of people in Dhaka.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In the 1981 Bangladeshi presidential election, Abdus Sattar was elected. He formed the National Security Council to involve the Bangladesh Armed Forces. Meanwhile, Vice President Mirza Nurul Huda resigned from his post in March 1982.Template:Sfn
Struggle for democracy (1982–1990)
1983 coup d'état
Army Chief Hussain Muhammad Ershad thwarted the elected government of Justice Sattar on 24 March 1982 and replaced him with Justice A. F. M. Ahsanuddin Chowdhury. The BNP was thrown out of power. Many of its leaders were imprisoned,Template:Sfn including former Minister S.A. Bari, Saifur Rahman, Habibullah Khan, Tanvir Ahmed Siddiqui, Atauddin Khan, Jamal Uddin Ahmed, K.M. Obaidur Rahman, Abul Hasnat, and Moudud Ahmed. 233 BNP leaders were arrested from March to July 1982.Template:Sfn
7-Party Alliance
From 1983, Begum Khaleda Zia became the de facto decision-maker of the party. Under her leadership, the BNP formed a new anti-government alliance against the autocratic Ershad regime. It was named after the number of parties with it, 7-Party Alliance.Template:Sfn
BNP launched a massive anti-government movement after co-ordination with Awami League-led 15-Party Alliance in September 1983. The 7-Party Alliance arranged a mass gathering and called a nationwide strike on 1 November 1983. The strike had successful results. After that, the alliance called to surround the Secretariat on 28 November 1983 along with the 15-Party Alliance.<ref name="Rono March 2010 429">Template:Cite book</ref> Thousands of BNP activists led by then Executive Secretary (later designated Office Secretary) M. Hamidullah Khan, surrounded the secretariat building at Paltan and made a large hole in the southern corner of the boundary wall of the building. The police retaliated with indiscriminate firing of live bullets.<ref name="Rono March 2010 429" /> M. Hamidullah Khan was arrested on 3 November in the afternoon from his residence at Dhaka Cantonment. A ban on political activities was imposed that night and Begum Khaleda Zia was kept under house arrest. The government was severely shaken at the core. A long curfew and ban on politics was imposed.
On 29 February 1984, Ershad declared that the ban on politics would be lifted on 26 March and on 27 May, both the presidential and national elections would be held. The 7-Party Alliance asked for the national election before the presidential election. After lifting the ban, Khaleda Zia attended an extended meeting of the party on 1 April, where she was made the acting chairperson of the party. In May, the Chairperson Justice Sattar resigned and Khaleda Zia was made the chairperson of the party.Template:Sfn
Under the leadership of Khaleda Zia, the first major step BNP took was to expel leaders like Shah Azizur Rahman, Moudud Ahmed, AKM Maidul Islam, Abdul Alim, and Barrister Sultan Ahmed Chowdhury from the party. These leaders formed a committee with Shah Aziz as the President and AKM Maidul Islam as the general secretary. This faction later joined the Jatiya Front and Jatiya Party.Template:Citation needed
Attack on Begum Khaleda Zia
On 23 September 1984, while addressing a rally in Bogra, 10 to 12 handmade grenades were charged at the rally and some of them were aimed at the stage, where Khaleda Zia was giving her speech.Template:SfnTemplate:Page needed Khaleda Zia narrowly escaped injury while eleven members of her party received severe injuries. A nationwide strike was called in protest at this attack on 22 and 27 December. The government imposed a ban on political activities on those days to foil the strike, but it was largely ignored. Two people including a student leader from Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Chatra Dal died when police fired on a crowd on 22 December.Template:SfnTemplate:Page needed
1985 subdistrict elections
| Party | Chairman |
|---|---|
| Janadal | 190 |
| Bangladesh Nationalist Party | 46 |
| Bangladesh Awami League | 41 |
| Jatiyo Samajtantrik Dal-JSD | 15 |
| Muslim League | 9 |
The government amid protests, held upazila elections on 15 May 1985 in 251 upazilas (subdistricts) and on 20 May in 209 subdistricts. The election was marked by rigging, stuffing, snatching of ballots and electoral fraud. Ershad's newly formed Janadal (People's Party) got 190 candidates as victors. Though, BNP struggled because of government repression, it got 46 of its leaders as subdistrict chairmen while the Awami League fared worse with 41 subdistrict chairmen.Template:Sfn
Formation of student alliance
In 1985, BNP's student wing Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Chatra Dal formed Shongrami Chatra Jote with Chatra League (Awranga), Chatra League (Pradhan) and five other student organisations and started its resistance against Ershad.
1986 general election
In March 1986, Ershad declared that a national election would be held on 26 April.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Both the 7-Party Alliance led by BNP and the 15-Party Alliance led by the Awami League declared a boycott of the election on 17 March. Both called a joint rally on 21 March and a nationwide strike on 22 March as the immediate program to thwart the forthcoming election.
| Party | Seats | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Jatiya Party | 153 | 42.34% |
| Bangladesh Awami League | 76 | 26.16% |
| Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami | 10 | 4.61% |
| Communist Party of Bangladesh | 5 | – |
| National Awami Party | 5 | – |
The night before the nationwide strike on 22 March, the Awami League called a meeting of the 15-Party Alliance but Sheikh Hasina refused to take part in the meeting. In the meeting, the majority of the parties including the Awami League was in favour of the election. General Khalilur Rahman of Awami League maintained close contact with the army headquarters during the meeting that night. Sheikh Hasina was discussing with General Khalil periodically.<ref name="Rono March 2010 429" />
On the final hours of 21 March 1986, Sheikh Hasina announced that the Awami League and her alliance would participate in the election. Five parties of the alliance parted ways from the Awami League after the announcement and decided to boycott the election. BNP and the 7-Party Alliance and the newly formed 5-Party alliance of leftists started campaigning against the election meanwhile Awami League and Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh joined the election.
The election was largely boycotted. BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, mobilised a large pool of political parties and their leaders behind her to boycott the election. Apart from the BNP-led 7-Party Alliance and leftist 5-Party Alliance, 17 more parties including BNP (Shah Aziz), Samajbadi Dal (Nirmal Sen), Democratic League (Moshtaq), Democratic League (Oli Ahad), Islamic Democratic League, Islami Andolon (M. A. Jalil), Janata Party, Jatiya Ganatantrik Party, Labour Party (Maolana Matin), Muslim League (Kamruzzaman), Progatishil Ganatantrik Shakti and so on.Template:Sfn
Khaleda Zia reiterated that the BNP would participate only if:
- The fundamental rights are restored
- All political prisoners are released
- All convictions of politicians by the military courts are cancelled
The anti-election alliance under BNP called for a nationwide strike on election day. Unrest, voting fraud and malpractices marked the election day according to the opposition parties.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Both the Awami League and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami conceded a humiliating defeat in the election.<ref name="Rono March 2010 429" />
General Hussain Muhammad Ershad got himself elected on 15 October 1986. Prior to the election, Khaleda Zia was put under house arrest on 13 October.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In a joint declaration, the two alliances called for "Siege Dhaka" program on 10 November 1987. The government imposed a ban on public gatherings ahead of the program which was defied on the day and during the program, the capital of the country virtually went under the control of the opposition alliances.<ref name="swarthmore">Template:Cite web</ref> This incident infuriated the opposition and a nationwide protest was called on the following day. The government came hard-handed and both Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina were put under house arrest on 11 October.<ref name="swarthmore" /> Both the parties and their partners in the movement declared frequent nationwide strikes for the next days until the end of the year.
1988 general election
BNP was determined not to join the poll under the Ershad regime and decided to boycott the general election of 1988 after the abolishment of the previous parliament. The election was held on 3 March without the participation of any popular party or alliance rather a combined opposition was led by ASM Abdur Rab. BNP called a nationwide on Election Day and declared they would resist the election.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Organizational reformations
On the advice of Dr. Badruddoza Chowdhury, BNP chief Begum Zia on 21 June 1988, suspended the national standing committee and executive committee on the party for various reasons including the failures of strengthening the party of leaders. During this opportunity, former military officers were also removed from leadership positions within the party. M. Hamidullah Khan was relieved from his post as Executive Secretary. On 3 July 1988, Barrister Abdus Salam Talukder, a distinguished lawyer, was assigned with the post of Secretary General of the party instead of KM Obaidur Rahman. Soon after the removal of Obaidur, he with Jamal Uddin Ahmed and Abul Hasnat formed a new party with the same name.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On 17 July of the same year, Shah Azizur Rahman dissolved the BNP faction with him and joined the party with his followers on 26 August. Barrister Abdus Salam Talukder restructured the BNP, making it a stronger political platform that thrived through a critical time with a goal to topple Ershad's regime.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
1990 mass uprising
The movement against Ershad started gaining momentum in October 1990. The BNP-led 7-party alliance, the Awami League-led 8-party alliance and the Leftist 5-party alliance started a movement to usurp Ershad on 10 October 1990 and declared a nationwide strike on that day. The strike claimed 5 lives, including three BNP activists who were rallying in front of the central office of the Jatiya Party when Jatiya Party cadres opened fire on the crowd.Template:Sfn
On 28 November, the opposition parties including BNP and its student wing defied the curfew and state of emergency and came out with large processions. The curfew and state of emergency was the last resort for Ershad which became ineffective by the end of November 1990.Template:Sfn On 3 December, the protests became more violent and many died. Bombs were hurled at the Army Welfare Building, the Sena Kalyan Bhaban at Motijheel. From 27 November to 3 December, more than fifty protesters died.Template:Sfn On 4 December, the mass uprising took place and Ershad declared his resignation.
Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) which has always been a centre of all popular movements in the history of Bangladesh came under the control of Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Chatra Dal after the election of 3 June 1990.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn<ref name="Daily Observer">Template:Cite news</ref> The Amanullah Aman-Khairul Kabir Khokan panel backed by Chatra Dal won all the posts and took the lead of the students' movement in the University of Dhaka.Template:Sfn<ref name="Daily Observer" />
The Chatra Dal-led DUCSU committee allied with all existing student groups on the campus, Sarbadaliya Chatra Oikya Parishad (All-party Students Alliance Council) and staged a demonstration on 1 October 1990.Template:Sfn The protests turned violent after the police firing on a rally of Chatra Dal on 10 October that claimed the life of Naziruddin Jehad, a Chatra Dal leader from Sirajganj who came to Dhaka to join the rally against Ershad.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
The series of student protests compelled the Ershad regime to think about a safe exit.Template:Sfn
On 7 December 1989, the BNP-supported White panel of teachers got the highest number of Deans elected from their panel including Professor Anwarullah Chowdhury, Professor S M Faiz, Assistant Professor M. Anwar Hossain and Associate Professor Humayun Ahmed.Template:Sfn
The pro-BNP white panel of teachers, which dominated the Dhaka University Teachers Association, declared an all-out movement against the Ershad regime in 1990. All the teachers decided to resign from their posts on 29 November and confirmed their decision of not returning to classes until the fall of Ershad. The firm reaction from the teachers jeopardised the Ershad regime.Template:Sfn
After the fall of Ershad, because of the commitment to the national interest the White panel of teachers won a decisive victory on 24 December 1990 in the election of Dhaka University Teachers Association once again with Professor Anwarullah Chowdhury as the President of the association with Professor M. Anwar Hossain as the general secretary.Template:Sfn
1991 general election and First Khaleda ministry
February 1996 general election and Second Khaleda ministry
June 1996 general election and opposition party
2001 general election and Third Khaleda ministry
2006–2008 political crisis
The military-backed government promised to tackle the longstanding problems of corruption, filing charges against more than 160 politicians, civil servants and businessmen in 2007. Among those charged were Khaleda Zia and her two sons, as well as Sheikh Hasina, leader of the Awami League.<ref name="aljazeera10Apr2008" />
The Bangladesh Election Commission invited Hafizuddin's faction, rather than Khaleda Zia's, to participate in talks, effectively recognising the former as the legitimate BNP. Khaleda Zia challenged this in court, but her appeal was rejected on 10 April 2008.<ref name="aljazeera10Apr2008">Template:Cite news</ref> After her release later that year, Zia was restored to her position as party leader.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
2008 general election
In the 2008 Bangladesh general election, the 4-party alliance led by BNP won 33 seats out of 299 constituencies, of which the BNP alone got 30.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Opposition to Awami League (2009–2024)
5th National Council, 2009
After sanctions by the Election Commission, the party held country-wide events for local leaders to play an active role in the national party.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The BNP National Council empowered re-elected party chairperson Khaleda Zia to pick other members for the National Executive Committee and Standing Committee.<ref name="thedailystar.net">Template:Cite news</ref> It elected her eldest son, Tarique Rahman, to the powerful post as Senior vice-chairman, in a "move apparently designed to smooth his path to the party helm."<ref name="thedailystar.net" />
2014 general election
After several movements in a period of severe political unrest between 2012 and 2014 to prevent the ruling party from holding the 10th general election in January 2014 without a neutral caretaker government, Khaleda led BNP and its allies in a boycott of the election. Incidents of violence were reported on polling day including the bombing of election centres, which the BNP and its allies were accused of. Over 100 people were killed in violent clashes surrounding the 2016 union council elections between Awami League and BNP supporters.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 2016, the BNP announced its new National Standing Committee, in which Khaleda retained her position as chairperson. New members were recruited while some older members were removed, and various new strategies for party operation were formulated.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In May 2017, Khaleda revealed BNP's Vision 2030 to gain public support for the next general elections.<ref>Template:Citation</ref> However the ruling Awami League government denounced Vision 2030 as an act of plagiarism of Awami League's Vision 2021 which they used in the ninth general election and claimed most of the targets in the Visions were fulfilled by Awami League, thus declaring BNP's Vision 2030 as unoriginal. BNP also announced it will hold processions to hold the 11th general elections under a neutral government. This renewed tensions between BNP and Awami League.
Imprisonment of Khaleda Zia
On 8 February 2018, Khaleda Zia and her son Tarique Rahman as per court verdict, were jailed for 5 and 10 years respectively due to involvement in the Zia Charitable Trust corruption case. While Tarique was in exile, Khaleda was imprisoned in the old Dhaka Central Jail on Nazimuddin Road. In protest, BNP held nationwide demonstrations, which were foiled by a well-prepared police force across the nation. A large number of BNP activists were arrested during clashes with the police during the protests against Khaleda's imprisonment.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
On 9 October 2018, the government of Bangladesh formed a nine-member group to detect and monitor rumors on social media sites such as Facebook. Tarana Halim said the group's goal was to ensure that "people [have] the right information only."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Two months later, approximately 30 accounts linked to the spreading of fictitious news reports regarding the BNP were blocked from Facebook and Twitter.<ref name="AL">Template:Cite news</ref>
2018 general election
After the jailing of chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, BNP expedited the process of forging a national unity with prominent leaders of the country. In October 2018, the party formally announced its joining of Jatiya Oikya Front with Dr. Kamal Hossain at its forefront.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
There was controversy in the run-up to the elections surrounding the nomination of banned Jamaat candidates under the BNP banner. In 2013, Jamaat-e-Islami was banned from registering and therefore contesting in elections by the High Court, citing their charter in violation of the constitution.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> However, 25 Jamaat candidates ran in the election, with 22 nominations for BNP and 3 running as independents.<ref name="dhakatribune.com">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="SR">Template:Cite news</ref> An investigation was launched but on 23 December, the Election Commission Secretary Helaluddin Ahmed said they had examined the related law and "there is no scope for rejecting the Jamaat leaders' candidacy at this moment."<ref name="SR" /> On 26 December, just days before the election, Jatiya Oikya Front leader Kamal Hossain expressed his regret about Jamaat's involvement in the elections under his alliance, claiming "had I known [that Jamaat leaders will be given BNP tickets] I would not have been part of it."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The media, however, had reported at the end of November that this was happening.<ref name="dhakatribune.com" /><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
2024 general election
On 26 March 2020, BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia's prison sentence was suspended for six months amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and she was granted a conditional release because she received medical treatment within the country and did not travel abroad.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The six-month suspension has been granted for a total of six consecutive times, with the most recent one being on 18 September 2022.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Since Zia's release, the BNP campaigned for her unconditional release and for the ruling government to allow her to travel abroad.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In preparation for the upcoming 2024 general election, the BNP launched a series of rallies which advocated for the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the return of the caretaker government.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> During a rally held in Dhaka on 10 December 2022, seven BNP lawmakers announced their resignation from the current government in demands of the dissolution of parliament, the formation of a new election commission, and allowing the election to be held under a neutral caretaker government.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Student–People's uprising
BNP actively supported the 2024 Bangladesh quota reform movement.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Later, it joined the Non-cooperation movement against the Sheikh Hasina government.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Post-revolution (2024–present)
After fall of Sheikh Hasina, BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia was set free.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Following her release, she offered a speech to the nation after six years of imprisonment.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> After interim government was formed, the party demanded for democratic elections.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Ideology
Template:Overly detailed Template:Too abstract Bangladesh Nationalist Party is a big tent party that has been cited as being on the centreTemplate:Refn and centre-rightTemplate:Refn of the political spectrum with ideological base combining liberalism,Template:Refn conservatism,Template:Refn and economic liberalism.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Party's official website states its founding principles to be–"full faith and trust in Allah", Bangladeshi nationalism, democracy and socialism "in the sense of economic and social justice".<ref name="bnp-pri">Template:Cite web</ref>
BNP was originally formed when a political vacuum was occurring in Bangladesh, mainly resulting from the coups–countercoups of 1975. As a result, after the withdrawal of military rule, various politicians, regardless of party and ideological affiliation, joined the newly formed BNP to return to mainstream politics.<ref name="bbc" /> Many of them had contradictory ideologies to each other, including politicians from various Islamist parties to "pro-China left and NAP".<ref name="dhakatribune" /> Canadian-Bangladeshi analyst Mir Aftabuddin Ahmed called early BNP "a coalition of convenience rather than ideology".<ref name="dhakatribune1" /> Many political experts, including Ahmed, believe that since BNP was born after Awami League was overthrown, the BNP was an attempt to establish a position in areas where Awami League was moderate.<ref name="bbc" /><ref name="dhakatribune1" />
Concerning the ideology, Syed Manjurul Islam, a professor of the English department at Dhaka University, stated, Template:Blockquote
According to the political analyst Maruf Mallick, BNP was founded as a centre-left, liberal and social democratic political party and the party's early political and economic policy was inspired by the Western European social liberal politics.<ref name="mallick">Template:Cite news</ref>
Senior BNP leader Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said about BNP's ideology, Template:Blockquote
Nationalism
Template:See also Bangladeshi nationalism is the central ideology of the party.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> It was adopted from the 19-point program, which declared, "The sovereignty and independence of Bangladesh, golden fruits of the historic liberation struggle, is our sacred trust and inviolable right."Template:Citation needed According to its founder Ziaur Rahman, the "Bangladeshi" identity, based on its history, traditions, culture and geographical territory, is different from the neighbouring nations and unique to itself.Template:Sfn Maruf Mallick argued that Zia wanted to move away from "narrow minded" ethnic and religious nationalism and wanted to create the identity of the citizens on the basis of the state, basically on the model of Western or Northern European countries.<ref name="Mallick1"/> BNP's declaration supports a populism based on nationalism.<ref name="bnp-dec">Template:Cite web</ref>
Economy
Template:Further The party fiscally called itself socialist,<ref name="bnp-pri" /> and claim to have practiced "people's democracy".<ref name="bnp-dec" /> Founding principles of the party included social and economic justice in light of socialism.<ref name="bnp-pri" /> But pragmatically, BNP promotes economic liberalism and supports a free-market economy with limited intervention.<ref name="bnp-obj" /> Ziaur Rahman believed that the previous socialist-influenced economy had been in a poor shape because of "years of colonial-style exploitation". To abate the deteriorating conditions, a revamp of the economic system is required. According to Mubashar Hasan, this new economic system was primarily an "outline for a capitalist system".Template:Sfn According to Mallick, early BNP was inspired by the European social liberal policies which supported equal distribution of wealth and social welfare but opposed strong economic regulatory policies of its predecessor Awami League.<ref name="mallick" />
Religion
Template:Further BNP's position on religion remains complicated and changed over time. The founding manifesto of the BNP claims that the people of Bangladesh want to "...see that all-out faith and confidence in the almighty Allah, democracy, nationalism". Although the party does not officially call itself Islamic, its official website states that the party aims to "preserve the age old human values of the Bangladeshi people through the teaching of Islam–religion of the majority of Bangladeshi people and other religions".<ref name="bnp-obj">Template:Cite web</ref> At the same time, the party also promotes religious freedom and tolerance as a component of Bangladeshi nationalism. Many founding leaders of the party were non-Muslims. Ziaur Rahman rejected theocracy as the governing system for Bangladesh.Template:Sfn
In recent times, there were several instances where party were seemed to depict itself secular, such as claims by their leaders,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> discrediting religious scriptures to politics,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and vowing to uphold the secular identity of the country.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 2018, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir stated that BNP doesn't believe in Shariah law as well as rejecting fundamentalism.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> After the July Revolution, the party was also seen uninterested to align with its longtime political partner Jamaat-e-Islami<ref name="KalerKantho"/> and formally cut off ties in August 2024.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The party has also shown signs of shifting away from its traditional moderate Islamic values, adopting positions that appear more aligned with secular political principles.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Despite this, BNP publicly denies being secular or pluralist.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
According to Mallick, BNP is not a religion-based party in a traditional sense and it has a moderate stance on religion.<ref name="mallick" /> BNP's stance for conservatism represents "a mixture of traditional Bengali customs and moderate Islam".<ref name="tandfonline.com" /> Mir Aftabuddin Ahmed opined: Template:Blockquote
BNP joint secretary Syed Emran Saleh Prince described the party as a "religion-friendly political party", while rejecting religion-based politics. He stated the party believes in religious values, religious freedom, "trust and faith in Almighty Allah", and communal harmony. Speaking of BNP's position, he said:<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Template:Blockquote
Voter base
Being a big tent party, the BNP generally tries to appeal and secure support from different communities, classes and occupations. However, for historical and ideological reasons, some "core group" of supporters always support the party. According to the political scientist Rounaq Jahan, the BNP was "founded with greater support from the urban and higher income groups, particularly civil and military bureaucracy and business community."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
A June 2025 survey conducted by the South Asian Network on Economic Modeling (SANEM) on the Bangladeshis aged between 15 and 35 found that the BNP's projected vote share was higher than any other parties in the country; and comparatively high among the young males and the urban younths of the country, comparing with the young females and the rural youths, respectively. The survey found that 38.78% youths intended to vote the BNP in 2026 general election; while 40% males and 37.03% females, and 37.72% rural and 39.77% urban youths intended to vote the party.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Policies
Domestic policy
In 1978, President Zia amended the constitution which gave the president more effective control over the cabinet and parliament. After the 1979 parliamentary election, Zia formed a cabinet where civil–military bureaucrats dominated. Apart from the cabinet, they also dominated the secretariat, the National Economic Council (NEC), the planning commission and the public corporations. During this period, BNP emerged as a multi-dimensional "umbrella" party.<ref name="L&J"/>
Upon taking power, Ziaur Rahman introduced a state-sponsored Islamization process that had a significant impact on Bangladeshi society and culture.<ref name="tandfonline.com" /> His government replaced secularism with the phrase "absolute faith and trust in Almighty Allah" as a fundamental principle through the fifth amendment to the constitution. His government also adopted a conservative family planning programme to control population growth.<ref name="documentary">Template:Cite web</ref>
The BNP has focused on the emancipation of socially backward and marginalized people, such as the women, the Bedes, the Dalits, the Harijans and the transgenders etc.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="documentary"/> During Begum Khaleda Zia's first term, her government carried out significant reform in the education sector and national curricula and to encourage female and universal education. Primary education was made free and compulsory and budget allocated to this sector was sharply increased.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> These reforms were recognized internationally.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The BNP is also notable for being the only major party — compared to the Awami League and Jamaat-e-Islami — whose constitution explicitly references women as a labor force. The 2008 BNP constitution commits "to make appropriate and proper use of human resources including labour power of women."<ref name="Khan 2013 1–28">Template:Cite journal</ref>
Economic policy
During the Mujib era, the state development strategy envolved every possible way to the extension of protectionism. After Zia's ascension to the power, new strategy was taken to encourage private enterprise with a primary goal of maximization of GNP growth rate. Zia's government revised the First Five-Year Plan (1973–1978) taken by the Mujib government and formulated a "Three year hard core plan" for remaining three years. This was followed by the Two-Year Plan (1978–80) and the Second Five Year Plan (1980–85).<ref name="L&J"/> Ziaur Rahman gave special importance to the development of agriculture. He also planned an integrated collective farming system.<ref name="Mallick1"/>
In parallel, the BNP promoted women's economic empowerment by facilitating access to low-interest loans, supporting entrepreneurship training, and implementing measures to remove social and cultural barriers.<ref name="Khan 2013 1–28"/> The party's Vision 2030 highlights the goal of integrating women fully into all sectors of economic activity, reflecting its commitment to enhancing women's participation in national development.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref> During its tenure, the BNP implemented policies providing favorable loans and tax incentives to women entrepreneurs, and promoted small and cottage industries where women's participation is significant.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Foreign policy
The main objective of BNP's foreign policy is to maintain good relationships with the Western world, the Muslim World and the Third World,<ref name="bnp-obj" /> as well as to maintain a balanced relationship with India.
BNP has been described as being sceptical to India many times.<ref name="tandfonline.com">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> After Ziaur Rahman became the president, his government started to distance themselves from India and foreign policy was initiated against Indo-Soviet axis.<ref name="bcs" />Template:Rp Some sourcesTemplate:Who say that the Indo-Bangladesh relations were at their worst in memory during Rahman's presidency.<ref name="bcs">Template:Cite book</ref>Template:Rp On 11 December 1991, in an interview with The Hindu, then Prime Minister Khaleda Zia said, "We do not want to see the rise of any major power [India] in this region, because it will disturb the peace, stability and balance in this region".<ref name="bcs" />Template:Rp Even in 2024, some of the BNP leaders, including Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, joined the "Boycott India" campaign.<ref name="tie">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> However in August 2024, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir expressed a desire to "move past previous differences and collaborate", assuring India that the BNP would not permit activities that would threaten India's security, but stated that relations would decline if India did not extradite Hasina.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Many BNP leaders opined that good relationship with India was necessary for keeping stability in the internal politics of Bangladesh.<ref name="KalerKantho"/>
Ziaur Rahman's government focused on the strengthening of its relationship with the Muslim world and the Arab world. His government amended the Constitution adding articles 25(1) and 25(2) declaring the establishment of brotherhood with the Muslim countries. Following his predecessor Mostaq, his government continued the close relationship with Pakistan. His government even abandoned secularism and socialism in favour of building good ties with the Muslim countries.<ref name="bcs" />Template:Rp
Besides, Ziaur Rahman facilitated the investment of Western capital in the country by taking liberal economic measures.<ref name="bcs" />Template:Rp His government improved relations with United States and China.Template:Cn
BNP government's foreign policy during the third premiership of Khaleda Zia between 2001 and 2006 was called "Look East Foreign Policy". In 2002, Prime Minister Zia visited Thailand, Myanmar and China and met with the leaders of those countries to expand Bangladesh's foreign policy to the east.<ref name="bcs" />Template:Rp
National Standing Committee
As of 16 August 2024, standing committee members are as follows:<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
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Controversies
Allegations of corruption and patronage
During the periods the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) was in power, specifically from 1991 to 1996 and 2001 to 2006 under the leadership of Khaleda Zia, allegations of various types of corruption surfaced, including the embezzlement of funds through charitable trusts and government contracts, and most of these were subsequently proven. In the Zia Charitable Trust case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission in August 2011, Khaleda Zia and her associates were accused of diverting approximately 2 crore 14 lakh BDT (about 250,000 USD at that time) from a trust fund designated for orphans and the poor towards personal assets, such as purchasing land for party activities; she was convicted in 2018 and sentenced to five years in prison, but the High Court acquitted her in 2024.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Similarly, in a case filed in 2008 regarding the embezzlement of 3 crore 15 lakh BDT from the Zia Orphanage Trust for unauthorized expenses, Khaleda Zia was sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2016, which the Supreme Court overturned in January 2025. As a result, she was exonerated from the remaining corruption charges, and the path for her potential participation in elections was paved. BNP leaders have consistently described these legal proceedings as politically motivated trials orchestrated by the rival Awami League government.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Additional allegations were also brought forward targeting infrastructure and procurement contracts during the 2001-2006 tenure. For instance: the GATCO case was filed in September 2007 against Khaleda Zia and 14 others for causing a loss of 1.45 billion (145 crore) BDT to the state by rigging tenders for gas infrastructure contracts to favor allies; although these investigations were initiated during the military-backed caretaker government in 2007, they yielded mixed judicial results in the face of claims regarding the weakness of evidence.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Citation</ref> Bangladesh's low ranking during the BNP regime was reflected in Transparency International's 'Corruption Perceptions Index'. In 2001, the score was 15 out of 100, which improved slightly to stand at 26 by 2006. While this attributed structural corruption to elite capture by all parties, specific BNP-related scandals further entrenched the perception of nepotism in the allocation of state resources.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
It is alleged that during the BNP regime, patronage networks consolidated party loyalty through the appointment of family members and associates to key government positions.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Connection to militancy and violence
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has faced allegations of indirect links to Islamist militancy. These allegations primarily stem from the party's electoral alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami (JI). Jamaat is an Islamist party with historical ties to extremist elements. Formed in 1999, this alliance culminated in the Four-Party Alliance's victory in the 2001 parliamentary elections. During the tenure of the BNP-Jamaat government from October 2001 to November 2006, Islamist militant activity in Bangladesh increased significantly. This included coordinated attacks by groups such as Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) and its affiliate, Jagrata Muslim Janata Bangladesh (JMJB). These groups claimed responsibility for over 450 low-intensity bomb blasts across 63 districts of the country on August 17, 2005, with the aim of establishing Sharia rule. Critics, including security analysts in their reports, have blamed the expansion of this militancy on indirect patronage or lax law enforcement by the BNP-led authorities. Despite international pressure, they were initially hesitant to dismantle the militant networks. As a result, individuals like JMJB leader Siddiqul Islam (known as Bangla Bhai) were able to operate with alleged local protection in BNP strongholds in northwestern Bangladesh until their arrest in March 2006.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
These allegations suggest that the BNP was tolerant of banned groups involved in previous violence, such as the 2007 bombings. Assessments by the 'South Asia Terrorism Portal' have noted that Bangladesh provided sanctuary to Islamist extremists during the BNP's tenure.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Although the BNP government eventually authorized the arrest and execution of JMB leaders following the 2005 attacks and subsequent bombings that killed judges and officials, international observers and succeeding Awami League governments argue that this delay helped consolidate the militants' base. They argue that this delay was likely fueled by political calculations to counter secular opponents. Immigration reviews by the US Department of Justice have highlighted the BNP's promotion of Islamism through its alliance with Jamaat.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Beyond militancy, the BNP is also implicated in broader political violence. This violence often occurs through their grassroots affiliate organizations, such as the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (student wing) and Jubo Dal (youth wing). According to Human Rights Watch documentation, these organizations have been involved in armed intimidation, clashes, and enforcing strikes since the 1990s. Examples include violent blockades and arson during the BNP-led opposition movement in 2013-2015, and pre-election skirmishes in 2024. Hundreds of people have been injured and killed in clashes between party activists in these incidents.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Election results
Presidential elections
| Election | Party candidate | Votes | % | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 Template:Small | Ziaur Rahman | 33,400,870 | 98.9% | Elected Template:Y |
| 1978 | 15,733,807 | 76.6% | Elected Template:Y | |
| 1981 | Abdus Sattar | 14,203,958 | 65.5% | Elected Template:Y |
Jatiya Sangsad elections
See also
- Politics of Bangladesh
- List of political parties in Bangladesh
- 5th National Council of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party
- General Secretary of Bangladesh Nationalist Party
- Other wings:
- Jatiotabadi Samajik Sangskritik Sangstha
- Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Matsyajeebi Dal
- Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Ainjibi Forum
- Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Tati Dal
- Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Muktijoddha Dal
- Doctors Association of Bangladesh
- Agriculturists Association of Bangladesh
- Bangladesh Sammilito Peshajibi Parishad
Citations
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References Template:Reflist
Bibliography
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External links
Template:Bangladeshi political parties Template:Authority control