BNP Linked to Three Historic Events, Say MPs

Lawmakers on Tuesday said the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) played a role in three major turning points in the country’s history, unlike many other political parties.

Speaking in parliament during the discussion on the motion of thanks to the President’s speech, several MPs said the BNP was involved in the 1971 War of Independence, the 1990 anti-autocracy movement, and the 2024 July uprising.

They claimed no other major political party had similar involvement in all three landmark events.

The discussion took place at the Jatiya Sangsad with Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed in the chair. Alongside political remarks, lawmakers also raised local development issues and called for implementation of the government’s election pledges.

The first session of the 13th parliament began on 12 March, when President Mohammed Shahabuddin delivered his speech. The Business Advisory Committee later fixed 50 hours for discussion on the address.

State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam said BNP’s participation in those three historic events set it apart from other parties.

Criticising the opposition, he alleged that some political groups were trying to diminish the significance of the Liberation War by placing excessive emphasis on the July movement. He said the country’s independence in 1971 remains the nation’s greatest achievement.

He also urged the opposition to cooperate with the government for the country’s future development under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

BNP lawmaker M Jalaluddin said the President deserved appreciation for acknowledging in his speech that the previous government had used police against the public and undermined the image of the Election Commission through what he described as three “farce” elections over the past 16 years.

Another BNP MP, Rafiqul Islam Jamal, said the party had repeatedly come to power through what he called neutral elections and remained popular among voters.

Independent lawmaker Rumeen Farhana said the July uprising was not only about changing the government, but also about building a discrimination-free Bangladesh. She also urged the government to recover siphoned-off money to help stabilise the economy.

Opposition lawmaker Salahuddin Ayubi called for a gas line in Kapasia to help turn the area into an industrial zone.

Several other lawmakers from treasury, opposition and independent benches also took part in the discussion.

During the debate, MPs also paid tribute to BNP founder Ziaur Rahman, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, and those who died in the 1971 Liberation War and the 2024 July uprising.