The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said former prime minister Khaleda Zia dedicated her life to the struggle for democracy and led the fight to build a prosperous Bangladesh.
He made the remarks at a doa mahfil at the BNP’s party office in the capital’s Nayapaltan, on Saturday to mark Khaleda Zia’s 82nd birth anniversary.
Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and BNP Standing Committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, among other party leaders and activists, attended the programme.
Fakhrul said the BNP must develop into a political party capable of governing the country effectively.
“Khaleda Zia was the principal architect who transformed the BNP into a truly patriotic and democratic party,” he said.
Amir Khosru said Khaleda Zia set a landmark example in the struggle to secure the democratic and constitutional rights of the people of Bangladesh.
“Khaleda Zia’s uncompromising stance has brought Bangladesh to its present position,” he said.
He urged BNP leaders and activists not to assume that the party had achieved everything simply because it had returned to power.
“We must uphold Khaleda Zia’s ideals, support Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and implement everything in the national interest,” Amir Khosru said.
Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan said Khaleda Zia risked her life for the country but never compromised on her principles.
He also described her as a freedom fighter who remained committed to Bangladesh’s interests.
