Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said on Wednesday that their party has played a significant role in ousting autocrats and institutionalising democracy in the country.
He made the comment after a joint meeting of the BNP and its associate bodies at the party's Nayapaltan head office in the capital.
Mr Fakhrul said that out of the total people who sacrificed their lives during the student-mass uprising against the Sheikh Hasina-led autocratic regime, 198 were BNP supporters and followers.
He said that BNP has also played a significant role and contributed a lot to all democratic movements including those for ousting autocratic rulers like Sheikh Hasina in the country.
He said that Shaheed president Ziaur Rahman formed the BNP incorporating all people irrespective of their cast, creed and religion with a spirit of Bangladeshi nationalism and a new philosophy.
"We must be united and consolidate our victory," he maintained.
He urged the party stalwarts and the countrymen to remain vigil so that none could destabilise the country.
Mr Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced a five-day programme marking the 46th founding anniversary of the party.
"We are going to observe our party's anniversary on September 1 in an atmosphere free from the clutches of autocratic regime," he said.
He said that a discussion would be held on August 31, party leaders and activists will visit BNP founder and former president Ziaur Rahman's grave on September 1, on September 2 there will be rallies across the country, releasing fish fries across the country on September 3 and plantation of saplings will be done across the country on September 4.
Meanwhile, BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia on Wednesday evening returned to her Gulshan residence 'Feroza' from Evercare Hospital in the capital following doctor's advice.
Party supporters and activists thronged the hospital gate to have a glimpse of their leader.
They chanted slogans in favour of Begum Zia and party's acting Chairman Tarique Rahman.
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