Bangladesh Nationalist Party
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party is a major political party in Bangladesh. Founded on 1 September 1978 by the late Bangladeshi president Ziaur Rahman, with a view of uniting people with a nationalist ideology, BNP later came out as one of the two most dominant parties in Bangladesh, along with its archrival Awami League. Initially being a big tent centrist party, it moved towards more right-wing politics later.
Founder of the party President Ziaur Rahman
Khaleda Zia is the current chairperson and leader of the party.
Ziaur Rahman was a Bangladeshi military officer and politician who served as the President of Bangladesh from 1977 until his assassination. He was the founder of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and served as its chairman until his assassination. He previously served as the second chief of army staff from 1975 to 1978 with a minor break.
Rahman in 1979
Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia on a state visit in the Netherlands in 1979 (in the background, Prince Claus)
Ziaur Rahman delivering a speech at a public conference before 1979
Mercedes Benz used by Ziaur Rahman when he was chief of army staff