Bangladesh’s political history is multidimensional and complex. The nation has advanced through the instability of post-liberation state formation, ideological divisions, and economic challenges. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is a significant milestone in this history. On September 1, 1978, the then-president, Shaheed Ziaur Rahman, founded the BNP based on the philosophy of 'Bangladeshi nationalism.'

This created a new political equilibrium in Bangladesh, which not only opened up avenues for political competition but also for multifaceted national development and democratic progress.

Post-liberation Bangladesh went through a few years of profound instability. On one hand, a war-torn economy, food shortages, and poverty; on the other, a one-party rule, a shrinking democratic space, political violence, and military coups—all these circumstances pushed the people towards seeking a new alternative.

In this context, Ziaur Rahman introduced the concept of Bangladeshi nationalism.

According to him, the nation's identity is not solely based on language but is formed by a combination of territory, religion, culture, and tradition. This philosophy was different from the Awami League's prevalent 'Bengali nationalism' and became acceptable to the public as it was considered more timely.

After its establishment in 1978, the BNP quickly organized itself. Within a few years, it became one of the two largest political parties in Bangladesh.

Significance of its Establishment: Before the BNP's formation, the Awami League effectively held a singular influence. The birth of the BNP initiated a two-party competition, which was instrumental in maintaining democratic balance. The BNP offered a new interpretation of national identity, giving importance to religion, culture, tradition, and territory alongside language. This made the general populace feel more politically connected to their heritage. From 1975 to 1978, the country had a de facto one-party rule.

The establishment of the BNP and the re-introduction of multiparty politics brought the people back onto the path of democracy.

To decentralize politics, the party expanded its organization from villages to cities. It increased the involvement of local-level leaders and activists, bringing politics closer to marginalized people. Under the BNP's leadership, Bangladesh achieved a new diplomatic dimension.  Particularly, relations with the Muslim world were strengthened, which was beneficial for economic and political interests.

The BNP's contribution to national development is immense. Its contribution to the advancement of democracy is immeasurable. The BNP's victory in the 1991 elections marked the first peaceful transfer of power in the country's history. That government also re-introduced parliamentary democracy from presidential rule. This was a significant milestone in Bangladesh's history. The BNP gave respect to the position of the opposition in the parliamentary structure. The BNP played an instrumental role in ensuring media freedom and promoting the expansion of private television and newspapers. During the BNP's tenure, the empowerment of local government through Union Parishad elections and increased public participation in local development were facilitated.

Economic Progress: The BNP government liberalized the economy. A free-market economy was encouraged to expand the private sector, which accelerated industrialization. Policy support was provided to the ready-made garment industry, which is now the country's primary source of foreign currency. Government initiatives were taken to encourage expatriate workers.

In agricultural development, easy access to irrigation, fertilizers, and technology laid the foundation for self-sufficiency in food production. During the BNP's rule, several major infrastructure development projects were undertaken. The BNP increased investment in highway development (Dhaka-Chittagong, Dhaka-Mymensingh), and the power and energy sectors. It also took initiatives to build rural roads, bridges, and culverts, and to develop the information technology sector, which were widely praised.

Education: The introduction of stipends helped spread the light of education among the rural population by assisting poor students in primary school. The provision of stipends for secondary education for girls made a significant contribution to the expansion of female education. The BNP also worked to expand higher education by establishing new universities and formulating policies for private universities. Active in the expansion of technical and vocational education, the BNP established many technical and vocational institutes.

Diplomatic Success: The BNP's foreign policy was pragmatic. A major success of the BNP's foreign policy was strengthening relations with Saudi Arabia, the Middle East, and other OIC member states as part of its effort to solidify ties with the Muslim world. Its leadership in SAARC to increase regional cooperation and its efforts to boost trade with the US and Europe were signs of its far-sighted politics.

Social Development: The party initiated microcredit programs to alleviate poverty, expanded immunization and maternal-child health services in the health sector, and undertook various programs for women's empowerment, the benefits of which the nation enjoys today. While the BNP's contribution to nation-building is undeniable, it also has certain limitations. Internal leadership crises and divisions have at times weakened the party.

To understand the significance of the BNP in Bangladesh's politics, three aspects can be analyzed:

1. Democratic Competition: The presence of the BNP alongside the Awami League has made the practice of a multi-party democracy possible. A single party's dominance weakens democracy, while competition keeps it active.

2. Economic Policy: The BNP primarily focused on a market-based economy and private sector-led development. As a result, GDP growth increased, and the garment sector secured a place in the global market.

3. Social Impact: The BNP's policies on education, health, and women's empowerment have had a long-term positive impact. Although there were limitations, the trend was development-oriented.

Future Prospects and Responsibilities: In today's world, the major challenge for political parties is not just past achievements but addressing present challenges. The BNP has several important responsibilities: promoting democratic practices and developing capable leadership within the party, increasing the participation of youth and women in politics, adopting new policies on technology, climate change, and sustainable development, and emphasizing the need to build national unity through political tolerance and dialogue.

The establishment of the BNP is a significant event in Bangladesh's political history. It re-introduced multi-party democracy, brought forth a new definition of national identity, and added a new chapter to the trajectory of economic and social development. Despite its limitations and criticisms, the BNP remains a vital force in Bangladesh's development journey. Therefore, it can be said that the BNP is not merely a political party but an integral part of Bangladesh's political multidimensionality, democratic balance, and national development.

The writer is Vice-Chancellor of Naogaon University