Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, “Ziaur Rahman and Bangladesh are inseparable. They cannot be separated. Because, the liberation war of Bangladesh started with the declaration of Ziaur Rahman. Through that liberation war, Bangladesh came into existence as a new state.”
He said these things in the president's speech at the discussion meeting organized on the occasion of the 45th martyrdom anniversary of martyred President Ziaur Rahman, the founder of BNP, at the Krishibid Institution auditorium in Khamarbari of the capital on Sunday (May 31).
Mirza Fakhrul said, “When the people of the country were looking for a new leadership as an expression of the trust of the people in the martyred President Ziaur Rahman, a crowd gave him the responsibility of rebuilding the country through a revolution. The first was the independence of the country, the second was the reconstruction of the country.”
He said, “It can be said to be a miracle that this man has come forward at the most critical moment of BNP. Whenever people are distracted from their duty, when they are disoriented in 1971, then 'Major Zia Says'. In that case, the Major's words woke up the whole nation. Again, it was the same situation in 1975, but it was 'Major General Zia Says' again. Again, he woke up the nation. united, started to move forward.”
Referring to Bangladeshi nationalism, Mirza Fakhrul said, “I find President Ziaur Rahman's most remarkable, the first one is—he gave a new identity to the Bangladeshi nation. Through Bangladeshi nationalism, he showed that the Bangladeshi nation is not the same as other nations or the territory of Bangladesh is not the same as other territories. Even though the language is the same, he gave that identity through Bangladeshi nationalism.”
He said, “In the future, he proved that the nation of Bangladesh can move forward with the right leadership. From 1971 to 1975, it was a terrible time. It seemed as if freedom had failed at every moment. In the misrule of this Awami League. To pull that nation, that bottomless basket up again and create the possibility of moving forward to a prosperity, Ziaur Rahman Sahib proved it with his leadership. He united the nation. This unification was his greatest quality. He did not divide, but united the nation.”
BNP Secretary General said, “That is why the first cabinet he formed as president is called the greatest ever cabinet. He formed the cabinet with the best people of Bangladesh.”
Referring to the issue of reforms, he said, “Nowadays, a political force, a few forces say very strongly – reforms, reforms, reforms. Do we not believe in reforms? Not reforming? What I keep saying, the BNP gave birth to reforms. Martyred President Ziaur Rahman brought multi-party democracy from a one-party system. It was a major reform, a fundamental change. He made this change.”
“He ensured the freedom of the media. He ensured the independence of the judiciary. He wanted to build the institutions. Democratic institutions are essential. This is how a state, a democratic state is built by building institutions. That is what President Ziaur Rahman Sahib started and went a long way.”
Comparing Ziaur Rahman with a beacon, Mirza Fakhrul said, “I just want to say that martyred President Ziaur Rahman is like a beacon in front of us, looking at which we move forward.”
He said, “There was no sector of the state, in which he did not touch. You talk about agriculture, we all know about digging canals. But, if you go to research, research institutions of Bangladesh, you will see the name of martyred President Zia is involved in all of them. That is, he started with research.”
Mirza Fakhrul said, “He brought high-yielding rice seeds. As a result, he started a revolution in Bangladesh. Where in 1974, Awami League caused a famine of their own, Bangladesh produced surplus food and exported food in 1980. This was done by Mr. Zia.”
About Ziaur Rahman's personal integrity and leadership qualities, Mirza Fakhrul said, “I don't want to talk about integrity again and again. It is a remarkable thing. He had legendary integrity. The statesmanlike qualities he possessed were extraordinary. Even his arch-enemy would admit—Ziaur Rahman had all the qualities of leadership.”
Chairman of BNP and Prime Minister Tarek Rahman spoke as the chief guest in the discussion meeting. BNP Standing Committee members, senior leaders and leaders and activists of various organs and allied organizations were present.
