The BNP brought out a massive colourful rally in the capital on Friday celebrating its 45th founding anniversary.

Thousands of leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies wearing colorful clothes and caps thronged in front of their Nayapaltan central office since the afternoon to participate in the programme.

After a brief address, party standing committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan formally inaugurated the rally.

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The rally ended at Rajdhani Market in the city after parading through different roads from Fakirapool intersection to Ittefaq crossing, causing public suffering in the areas due to tailbacks.

A large number of law enforcers were deployed in the areas to fend off any untoward incidents and maintain law and order.

As part of the party’s move to mark the founding anniversary in a befitting manner, the Dhaka North and South BNP organised the rally.

Earlier in the day, party leaders and activists, led by its standing committee members, placed a wreath at Zia’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar grave around 10:30am to pay tributes to him.

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They also joined a special prayer (munajat) seeking salvation for Zia’s departed soul and the good health of party Chairperson Khaleda Zia.

Leaders and activists of different units and associate bodies of the party also laid wreaths at the late president’s grave.

To mark the day, the party flag was hoisted atop the buildings of the BNP’s Nayapaltan office and other offices across the country in the morning.

BNP's associate bodies and all their units across the country also marked the day with due respect by holding various programs, including discussions and rallies.

Ziaur Rahman founded the party on September 1, 1978 with a 19-point charter to build a self-reliant Bangladesh. After his assassination on May 30, 1981, his widow Begum Khaleda Zia took over the party leadership.

The party had been in power four times and played the role of main opposition twice. It has been out of power for over 16 years since the 1/11 political changeover in 2007.