Khaleda Zia became part of Bangladesh’s destiny through her struggle: Fakhrul

BNP’s Presidential candidate and LGRD Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday said former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia became intertwined with the destiny of Bangladesh through her long struggle for democracy and the country’s development.

“Today is a day of joy for us because on this day a leader was born who became intertwined with the destiny of Bangladesh. Through her struggle and leadership, she repeatedly restored democracy and took part in and led the struggle to make Bangladesh prosperous,” he said.

Fakhrul made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a milad and doa mahfil organised by BNP at its central office in Nayapaltan in the capital on Saturday morning to mark Khaleda Zia’s 81st birth anniversary.

He said the BNP today is a democratic country’s democratic party and has gone through a long struggle while Khaleda Zia’s work and inspiration continue to motivate the party.

“Today, on this day, we will all take an oath that we truly want to transform the BNP into a democratic party that will genuinely be capable of leading Bangladesh,” he said.

Fakhrul said the BNP has now formed the government, and the expectation of every citizen is that the government will work in the coming days to implement the policies and vision left by Khaleda Zia.

He said the government would also work to implement the party’s 31-point programme, strengthen the BNP and safeguard the country’s independence and sovereignty.

“We will strengthen the party and preserve Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty,” he added.

Finance Minister and BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said Begum Khaleda Zia emerged as Bangladesh’s most popular leader despite repeated attempts to destroy her politically and take her life.

“Despite all attempts to destroy this leader and take her life, she overcame everything and emerged as the most popular leader in Bangladesh. The people of Bangladesh gave her that recognition both before and after her death. She left us with that recognition. That is the greatest source of happiness for us,” he said.

Recalling Khaleda Zia’s entry into frontline politics, BNP standing committee member Abdul Moyeen Khan said Khaleda Zia took to the streets in 1982 and accepted the challenge of restoring democracy.

“You know, in 1982, she came out onto the streets and took the challenge of democracy into her own hands,” he said.

He said Khaleda Zia was previously a housewife but eventually joined the street movement against the autocratic regime of HM Ershad.

“From being a housewife, she came onto the streets and led an eight-year-long movement against autocratic Ershad. She won the hearts of the people of Bangladesh and was elected the country’s first woman prime minister through the people’s votes,” he said.

“From 2008 until the last day of her life, she never compromised with democracy. She went to jail and fought against injustice, irregularities, autocracy and fascism. But she never bowed her head before anyone,” he said.

BNP Standing Committee members Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy and Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, BNP Vice-President Shamsuzzaman Dudu, Vice-Chairman and Liberation War Affairs Minister Advocate Ahmed Azam Khan, Joint Secretary General and Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee, Joint Secretary General Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel, among others, attended the programme.