Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir
BNP ready to defy ‘curfew’ even to hold Khulna rally, says Mirza Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said on Wednesday that his party was ready to defy a curfew even to make their upcoming anti-government rally in Khulna a success.
He made the remarks in the wake of a decision by transport owners and workers in Khulna to suspend bus services ahead of their party’s rally in the southwestern region’s biggest city on Saturday.
“They (govt) also stopped vehicle movements in Mymensingh, but they failed to stop people. In the same way, you’ll see people will join the rally in Khulna to push their demand for democracy, no matter whether the transport service is suspended or not,” he told reporters at BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office after talks with two political parties.
He said people came to their Mymensingh rally by trawlers, boats, rickshaws and on foot.
“Even, many rickshawpullers did not take fare from them (BNP leaders and activists). This is called people’s participation. Even, we won’t concede to any hartal, curfew as we’ll be present there (Khulna) by braving all obstacles,” he said.
As his attention was drawn to the Prime Minister’s previous comment that BNP would be allowed to hold political programmes, Fakhrul said Awami League still could not live up to its any word or promise.
“They do the opposite of what they say. So, there’s no reason to believe Awami League.”
About Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader’s remark that BNP is daydreaming of another 1/11 like political changeover, he said the Awami League has the habit of doing that.
“That’s why they think like that." “We don’t daydream. We dream of seeing a democratic Bangladesh, restoring people’s voting rights, and establishing true democracy," the BNP leader observed.
Replying to a question, he said BNP has no objection if the ruling party takes to the streets exercising their democratic rights. “At the same time, the democratic rights of all the opposition parties also must be ensured. As government, it’s their responsibility to do.”
Earlier on Wednesday, Khulna bus-minibus owners association and motor workers’ union decided to keep bus services suspended on October 21 and 22 due to the BNP’s divisional rally on Saturday (October 22).
Read: BNP public rally: Bus services in Khulna to remain suspended Oct 21, 22
As part of its divisional rallies, BNP is expected to organise the rally on Sonali Bank premises in Khulna city in protest against the price hikes in fuel and daily essentials and the killing of five BNP leaders and activists in the recent movement and demanding the unconditional release of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.
The party has already arranged two massive rallies in Chattogram and Mymensingh.
BNP leaders alleged that many BNP leaders and activists were attacked, arrested and implicated in ‘false’ cases in Chattogram and Mymensingh over holding the rally.
Talks with two parties
Earlier, Fakhrul had separate meetings with the delegations of Bangladesh Jatiya Dal and Bangladesh Islamic Party, two components of the BNP-led 20-party alliance, as part of their party’s second round of political dialogue.
Fakhrul said that they agreed to some demands of their coming simultaneous movement, including the ouster of the current government, restoration of democracy, unconditional release of Khaleda Zia and withdrawal of the false cases filed against the opposition leaders and activists and holding the next polls under a non-party neutral government.
“We’ll initiate a simultaneous movement focusing on these issues.”
Fakhrul states it bluntly at last: 'Next election must be under caretaker'
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said to be accepted by the people, the next parliamentary elections must be held under a non-partisan caretaker government.
Fakhrul said this while speaking as chief guest at a discussion program held in memory of late BNP leader ASM Hannan Shah on his 6th death anniversary in Gazipur’s Kapashia on Friday afternoon.
“Our movement has begun, and it will continue till the current government steps down. The next general election won’t be free and fair with the Awami League (AL) in power. That’s why we’re asking for a caretaker government, and we won’t let any other type of election take place this time,” said Fakhrul.
Fakhrul added that the country's judiciary is completely controlled by the executive, i.e. AL government ministers.
“While gamblers, robbers and killers are getting bail easily under this government, our leader Khaleda Zia has been languishing in false cases. The AL fears that people will come to the streets and topple the government if Khaleda Zia comes out on bail. That’s why they’re doing everything they can to keep our leader away from the public,” Fakhrul added.
Read: BNP to unveil polls-time govt formula at 'appropriate' time: Fakhrul
During his speech, the BNP leader also came down heavily on AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader.
“Quader has been shouting against the caretaker government. I want to ask him, why is he afraid? He is afraid because he thinks that his party won’t be able to come to power if the election is held under a caretaker government. Our demand is also clear, either a non-partisan caretaker government or no election at all,” said Fakhrul.
The discussion was presided over by Fazlul Haque Milon, President of Gazipur district BNP, and was conducted by Khandaker Azizur Rahman Pera, General Secretary of Kapashia upazila BNP. Shah Riazul Hannan, General Secretary of Gazipur district BNP and Khayrul Kabir Khokon, Joint Secretary General of the party’s central command, among others, spoke at the event.
Speaking against war, sanctions doesn’t suit PM: BNP
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday said that what Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina told the UNGA about war and sanctions doesn't suit her while her government has been indulging in killings and enforced disappearances.
“She (PM) is telling tall stories going abroad. She’s saying in America that she doesn’t want war and sanctions...but it doesn't suit her mouth. She herself is involved in killings in her country. The government is carrying out killings while more than 600 people have been made disappear,” he said.
Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader also said several hundred people have been taken to police stations and made crippled while over 1,000 people have been killed by resorting to extra judicial killings. “That’s why sanctions have been imposed on the elite force, RAB, who had earned reputations in the country in the fight against crime earlier, and on its seven officials for executing the government’s unjustified orders.”
Fakhrul said sanctions should be first imposed on those who gave illegal orders. “The country’s people have given sanctions on them (govt). People are saying they no longer want to see the current regime in power.”
Read: Govt gunning down people for fear of losing power: BNP
BNP’s national committee on the celebration of Golden Jubilee of Independence arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club.
Earlier on Friday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina demanded an immediate end to Ukraine-Russia war and resulting sanctions for the sake of lives and livelihoods of the people throughout the world.
"We want the end of Russia-Ukraine war. Due to sanctions, and counter-sanctions, not a single country, rather the entire mankind including women and children is punished," she made the call while delivering her speech in the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
About the murder of Munshiganj Jubo Dal activist Shahidul Islam Shaon, Fakhrul said a section of media are reporting that Shaon was killed by throwing brick chips from behind. “The way media are being regulated, the newspapers don’t dare to speak the truth. The fact is that Shahidul Islam Shaon was shot dead. He scarified his blood for the entire nation, not for BNP.”
Stating that their party has been carrying out a movement all over the country on public issues, he said four leaders and activists of BNP’s different associate bodies, including Shaon in Munshiganj, have already been killed in the movement.
The BNP leader said Shaon sustained bullet wounds in his head as police fired on their party programme in Munshiganj and he succumbed to his injuries at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
“We’re here today with a heavy heart. We’ve been going through suffering, despair and a terrible terror acts for the last 15 years,” he said in an emotional choked voice.
Read: Attackers on BNP’s programmes are being marked: Mosharraf
Fakhrul accused the government of completely destroying the history of the Liberation War as the ruling party does not recognise the contributions of most national leaders who played major role in the war of independence.
He also bemoaned that the ruling party always tries to belittle BNP founder Ziaur Rahman by carrying out ‘false’ propaganda against him.
BNP's movement cannot be suppressed by attacks, arrests: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir warned on Friday that the movement his party's activists have thrown themselves into can no longer be suppressed by attacks and arrests.
“We want to make it very clear that the movement can never be suppressed by such terrorist attacks, by killing, arresting and suing with false cases. BNP cannot be removed from the streets," said Fakhrul.
He was speaking in a press conference at the chairperson's office in Gulshan this morning.
Read: BNP won't budge from decision to shun polls under AL govt: Fakhrul
Fakhrul said, "Yesterday, when the stage was being prepared for the rally in Pallabi zone with the permission of the police, just then the Awami League (AL) terrorists armed with weapons and sticks attacked on our leaders and activists chanting 'Joy Bangla' slogans. This was all covered in the media.”
Around 75 of the BNP activists were injured in the attack while eight were arrested, he claimed.
The rally was scheduled to be held in the Pallabi Zone at the Eidgah ground in D Block. After the police objected, BNP leaders changed it to two other places, either in front of Old Pallabi Old Police Station or in Mukul Fauj field in front of Pallabi Kitchen Market, said Fakhrul
The police finally gave permission to hold this rally at Mukul Fauz field at 1 pm. Yet the attack was carried out just when the activists were preparing the stage for the rally, he added.
"The saddest, horrifying incident is when our leaders and activists stood up to resist the attackers yesterday, the police charged batons, tear gas and opened fire on our leaders to disperse them."
He said, "We have been saying again and again that the role of the police should be to protect, to remain neutral. But the police are fully working to suppress the pro-democracy movement on behalf of these attackers, the Awami League and the terrorists.”
Fakhrul asserted that the ruling party and police's actions reflect they want to provoke a violent situation.
Read:Outline of anti-govt 'simultaneous' movement soon: Fakhrul
"We think that they are doing these things to create a violent situation, to destroy the democratic atmosphere in the country, to keep the opposition away from politics and away from the electoral field," said Fakhrul.
Meanwhile, BNP has announced nationwide demonstrations for Sunday protesting the attack on their programme in Mirpur.
On Thursday, at least 100 BNP activists were injured during a series of clashes with ruling Awami League rivals at the capital's Mirpur area over holding a scheduled rally.
Earlier on September 10, BNP announced to hold public rallies in 16 spots under its Dhaka south and north city units until September 27 in protest against the increase in prices of essentials, fuel and transport fares.
The rallies are also meant for registering the party’s protest against the killings of Bhola Chhatra Dal leader Noor-e-Alam, Swechchasebak Dal leader Abdur Rahim and Narayanganj Jubo Dal leader Shaon Prodhan.
Outline of anti-govt 'simultaneous' movement soon: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday said the outline of the 'simultaneous' movement to oust the government will be presented soon.
"We'll come up before the nation with the final outline of the simultaneous movement as soon as possible," he said.
Speaking at a press conference at BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office, the BNP leader also said their party has long been working to forge a greater unity with various political parties.
“Following the talks with the different parties, our (BNP) standing committee meeting yesterday (Monday) decided to finalise the outline of the simultaneous movement,” the BNP leader said.
Read:Ready to take bullets, won’t leave the streets: Abbas
Asked about the nature of the outline, he said the main focus will be on forcing the government to quit for holding a free, fair and acceptable election. “This parliament must be dissolved and power has to be handed over to a neutral government under which a new Election Commission will be constituted, and they’ll create an environment for an inclusive election where all the voters can cast their votes smoothly.”
Besides, Fakhrul said a national government will be formed after that election with the parties that are going to join the simultaneous movement.
About the necessity of the national government, he said it would not be reasonable to repair alone by a single party the damage done by the Awami League to the state system.
“For that reason, we want to include other parties in this process so that we can take decisions based on consensus through discussions about various institutions of the state such as the judiciary, administration, parliament and the media,” the BNP secretary general observed.
He called upon all opposition parties to join BNP’s planned simultaneous movement to oust the current regime and ensure a credible national election in the country.
The BNP leader said that if the political parties take to the streets simultaneously, the movement itself will determine its future course of action.
No formal talks with Jatiya Party
Responding to a question, Fakhrul said they have not had so far any formal talks with the Jatiya Party about the simultaneous anti-government movement.
He, however, said their door is open for any party that wants to join the movement. “We have made it clear that we will wage the movement simultaneously with the parties, individuals and organisations those are against the current authoritarian government and those want to restore democracy and people’s voting rights."
Asked whether BNP had a discussion with Jamaat-e-Islami and about its statement on not being part of the 20-party alliance, Fakhrul said Jamaat has already given a statement on the matter. “We're talking about simultaneous movement now…All parties will carry out the movement from their respective positions. This is what we're talking about."
Police not BNP's opponent
Fakhrul said their party wants the police to perform its constitutional responsibilities as a state organisation. “We never consider the police as our opponent. The police should be friends of the people and we also consider them as friends.”
He, however, alleged that the government is using police to hang onto power illegally by violating the constitution and human rights.
The BNP leader urged the law enforcers not to comply with the government's illegal directives that could lead to accusations of human rights violations against them like RAB.
Fakhrul alleged that some overenthusiastic police officers are attacking BNP’s programmes across the country and firing on the opposition leaders and activists without any justification.
Read:Don’t antagonise people: BNP warns civil servants
Extension of rental power plants’ tenure unjustified
The BNP leader said when the Power Development Board is not able to produce power from many power plants due to lack of energy and the government is giving subsidies of hundreds of crores of taka without getting any power, the tenure of four quick rental power plants has been extended. “It’ll only increase the amount of losses. We demand cancellation of this decision of the government."
He said the main reason behind the move is to plunder public money in the name of capacity charges of the four power plants.
Fakhrul also slammed the government for increasing the prices of some essential drugs used in health care. “We strongly condemn it. The prices of the medicines have been hiked unethically only to create a scope for some businessmen to make a lofty profit. We demand immediate withdrawal of this decision.”
BNP sees no visible achievement from PM’s India visit
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday said there was no "visible achievement" of Bangladesh, except the Kushiyara River water sharing MoU, from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s four-day visit to India.
"In this visit, the achievement of Bangladesh so far that we can see is 53 cusecs of water from the Kushiyara River. We have not seen any other visible achievement" he said.
Stating that a defense contract worth $500 million has been signed to buy military vehicles from India, the BNP leader said it has been assured that border killings will be brought to zero level. “On the day this was said, one person was killed at the Dinajpur border and two others remained missing. This’s the outcome (of her visit).”
He was talking to reporters after paying homage to BNP founder Ziaur Rahman by placing a wreath at his grave alongwith the leaders and activists of Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal, marking its 44th founding anniversary.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday night returned home wrapping her four-day official visit to India.
Read: Let’s see what she achieves this time, Fakhrul about PM’s India tour
During her visit, Hasina had bilateral talks with her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi and met Indian President Droupadi Murmu and Indian Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar separately on Tuesday.After the bilateral talks between the two leaders, Dhaka and Delhi signed seven MoUs -- demonstrating cooperation in a number of areas, including water sharing of the Kushiyara River.
Fakhrul said though there was no fruitful outcome from the visit, the ruling party leaders are highlighting their love for India.
“The government has become desperate (to stay in power). You must remember that before this visit, the Foreign Minister (AK Abdul Momen) had said that he had requested the Indian leaders to take measures to keep the Awami League government in power by any means possible," he observed.
The BNP leader said their party believes that all the democratic countries will play their role in upholding democracy and establishing people's rights around the world.
“India is our good friend and a democratic country. We believe that India will also keep its democratic character intact," he said.
Unleashing the reign of terror by govt
Fakhrul slammed the government for attacking their party’s peaceful programmes across the country and implicating their leaders and activists in ‘false’ and ‘fictitious’ cases.
“False cases were filed against many of our leaders and workers over the last few weeks. Fictitious cases are also being filed against us as they did in the past. You know that already three of our leaders have been killed,” he said.
Read: Movement to continue until AL govt’s fall: Fakhrul
Referring to his Thursday’s visit to Popular Hospital to see Shrabon, a 14-year-old bullet-hit leader of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal’s Kishireganj unit, the BNP leader said, the boy’s lung, liver and kidney were affected by bullets. “He is vomiting blood…doctors are trying their best to save his life.”
Besides, he said, many leaders and workers of BNP and its associate bodies have lost their eyesight while many others have sustained various injuries and became maimed. “They (govt) have again unleashed a reign of terror all over the country. I would like to say no one can hang onto power by resorting to terror acts.”
Reacting to the law minister’s comment that BNP’s programmes will not be obstructed if it does not resort to violence, Fakhrul said, "BNP does not believe in terrorism and engage in terror acts…the cadres of Chhatra League and Jubo League have attacked peaceful programmes of democracy-loving people. We strongly condemn it. We’ll defeat them with the power of the people.”
Fakhrul mourns legendary Queen's demise
BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday expressed "deep shock" at the demise of the legendary British Queen Elizabeth II.
“We're deeply saddened at her death. We think she was a legendary queen and a Royal Administrator of Britain,” he said.
"With the Queen’s demise, a long-standing tradition and her reign of 70 years is over," Fakhrul told reporters after placing a wreath at BNP founder Ziaur Rahman’s grave.
Fakhrul recalled the Queen’s contribution to promoting democracy all over the world during her reign.
Read: When Queen Elizabeth II came to Bangladesh
“We’ve seen the development of democracy and the protection of democracy in Britain during the long reign of Queen Elizabeth II and its shadow has spread the politico-democratic world sphere,” he said.
He prayed for the eternal peace of the Queen’s departed soul and conveyed his profound sympathy to the bereaved members of the Royal Family.
Queen Elizabeth II, the UK's longest-serving monarch, died on Thursday at the age of 96 in Scotland, after being on the throne for 70 years.
Let’s see what she achieves this time, Fakhrul about PM’s India tour
Stating that the outcomes of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s previous India tours were disappointing for the nation, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said they want to see what she achieves this time during her four-day visit.
Speaking at a discussion, he said, "My journalist brothers sent me a note to talk about the Prime Minister's visit to India. I don't want to talk about this as our previous experience was very bitter and disappointing,” he said.
During the PM’s every trip to India, Fakhrul said, people always hoped that the prime minister would achieve something for the country. “Every time we saw with great disappointment that she only gave (India many things) but did not bring anything (for the country from there).”
He said BNP will give reaction to the PM’s visit by seeing the outcomes. “Let her (Prime Minister) visit first and return home. Let's see what she achieves and then I will comment on it.”
M Saifur Rahman Smriti Parshad organised the programme at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU) marking the 13th death anniversary of former finance minister and BNP standing committee member M Saifur Rahman.
Earlier in the morning, Hasina went to New Delhi on a four-day state visit at the invitation of her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.
During her visit, the PM is scheduled to hold bilateral talks and a one-to-one meeting with Modi at the Hyderabad House on Tuesday.
Read: BNP demands probe into illegal use of Chinese Rifle by N’ganj police
Fakhrul recalled Saifur Rahman’s outstanding contributions to the country’s economy and development and said Bangladesh has lost a very competent and successful finance minister through his demise.
Mentioning that the nation is going to through a very difficult time, he said had Saifur been alive at this time, he would have undoubtedly helped the country overcome the crisis with his political wisdom. ”He also would have been able to reveal the true face of this regime which has created a hype of false development revolution.”
BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said Saifur Rahman had not hesitated to do what was necessary for ensuring the sustainable development of the country and strengthening the economy.
He said Saifur had taken various effective steps like the introduction of VAT to build a stable economy of the country.
The BNP leader said the Awami League government has been getting benefits from the economic reforms carried out by Saifur and thus it is indulging in widespread plundering. “The way this regime is looting public money using the steps taken by him, he (Saifur) would have fought against it if he were alive.”
On September 5, 2009, Saifur died in a road accident on Dhaka-Sylhet Highway at the age of 77.
Born at Baharmardan village in Moulvibazar Sadar Upazila on October 6, 1932, Saifur was with BNP since its inception as an adviser to late president Ziaur Rahman. He went on to serve in Zia’s cabinet as the first commerce minister and then the finance minister.
We have no choice but to win this time, says Fakhrul about movement
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday said their party will not get defeated in any way this time as they will make their movement a success by braving all obstacles.
Speaking at a discussion, he also warned the BNP rank and file to remain alert so that the ruling party does not get any scope to put them in danger.
"We won’t be defeated by any means this time…we must win this time and we have no choice but to turn victorious. We can't let the sacrifices of Noor-e-Alam, Abdur Rahim, Shaon Pradhan go in vain.”
Bangladesh Chhatra Forum and Uttaranchal Chhatra Forum organised the discussion at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity, marking the 16th anniversary of the release of BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman from jail.
Tarique, the eldest son of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman, was arrested on March 7, 2007 by the joint forces on different charges, including corruption, from their then cantonment residence.
After nearly 18 months of imprisonment, he went to London securing bail from the High Court in September 3, 2009. He has been staying there since then.
Read: Get ready for final push against AL govt: Fakhrul to BNP activists
Fakhrul said the government is trying to suppress BNP as the party leaders and activists have started waking up across the country. “This is their target and they have started working on it.”
The BNP leader said the government attacking BNP leaders and activists in different parts of the country as they are registering protests against the increase in the prices of oil, pulses, salt and fuel.
“They (govt) are trying to take this movement to a different direction and they are trying to divert people’s attention to a different direction by repeating their acts of arson terrorism and other terror acts. The information minister yesterday (Friday) said that they would go to the outside world with pictures of BNP's terrorist activities," he said.
Fakhrul, however, said the global community is now not paying heed to Awami League’s propaganda against BNP. “It has already been proved through US sanctions on RAB and IGP Benazir Ahmad that their campaigns (against BNP) were not correct. That's why we have to take every step very carefully. Let's not fall into a new plot and give it (govt) another chance to suppress us.”
Referring to a newspaper report, Fakhrul said police inspector Kanak fired at BNP leaders and activists in Naryaanganj by 'illegally' collecting a Chinese Rifle though he was not authorised to use that gun.
About the Narayanganj SP’s comment that Shaon did not have involvement with BNP’s politics, Fakhrul said. “We would like to clearly say that it’s not important which party he belonged to. The important thing is that he was a worker and he was shot dead though there was no such situation there to open fire."
He also warned his party colleagues that the police Awami League government will not give them any scope to take to the streets, but they have to do it together people by exercising the power of the people.
Recalling the political changeover during the 1/11 regime in 2007, he said there was a plot at that time to eliminate the believers in Bangladeshi nationalism and democracy. There was a lot of publicity about minus-two formula at that time. But minus two didn't happen as it happened minus one."
“BNP will form commission to identify Zia’s killers if we return to power”
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today (September 1, 2022) said his party will form a commission to identify those behind the murder of its founder Ziaur Rahman and put them on trial if the party returns to power.
“I would like to say it clearly that if we come to power, we will form a commission for the trial of those involved in the murder of President Ziaur Rahman. We want to know who were behind the murder,” he said.
Read: Govt resorted to 'blackmail' to send IGP to USA: Fakhrul
Fakhrul made the remarks after paying homage to Ziaur Rahman by placing wreaths at his grave, marking BNP’s 44th founding anniversary.
This announcement came a day after Law Minister Anisul Huq told parliament that the government was planning to form a commission by December next to identify those behind the killing of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on August 15, 1975.
Fakhrul alleged that Awami League has let loose its “cadres” and law enforcers to thwart a justified movement of the people – protesting price hike of fuel and daily essentials.
He said police and the ruling party activists attacked their party leaders and activists in different parts of the country, leaving many injured.
Besides, the BNP leader said many leaders and activists of their party and its associate bodies were arrested and implicated in different cases.
“We’ve even heard that one of our workers was killed in Fatulla of Narayanganj today (Thursday). We strongly condemn this incident. We demand that the killers be brought to justice immediately,” Fakhrul said.
He warned the government that it will not be able to suppress a just movement for the restoration of democracy by resorting to killing, enforced disappearing, attacks and repression.
Fakhrul, together with senior party leaders, placed wreaths at Zia’s grave around 12pm and joined prayers seeking the salvation of the BNP founder’s departed soul.
Read: Khaleda being deprived of due treatment: Fakhrul
BNP Standing Committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Nazrul Islam Khan, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, were, among others, present.
Ziaur Rahman founded the party on September 1, 1978 with a 19-point programme to build a self-reliant Bangladesh. After his assassination on May 30, 1981, his widow Khaleda took over the party leadership.