Prime Minister's Adviser and spokesperson at the Prime Minister's Office, Mahdi Amin, addressed a program on the occasion of the 'Zia Smriti Book Fair 2026' held on the Bangla Academy premises. Photo: BSS

DHAKA, Sept 7, 2026 (BSS) - Prime Minister's Adviser and spokesperson at the Prime Minister's Office Mahdi Amin has said the BNP has always remained uncompromising on its accountability to the people and the question of democracy, despite changes in time and generations.

Addressing leaders and activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), he called upon them to build a merit-based and prosperous Bangladesh by upholding the ideals of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, the uncompromising struggle of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson late Begum Khaleda Zia, and the modern state philosophy of incumbent Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

The Prime Minister's adviser also expressed confidence that no evil force would be able to hinder Bangladesh's progress if a patriotic student organisation like JCD remained alongside the country.

Mahdi Amin made the remarks at a programme held on the Bangla Academy premises this afternoon on the occasion of the 'Zia Smriti Book Fair 2026'. 

Zia Smriti Pathagar and Jatiyatabadi Prakashana Sangstha organised the programme marking the 48th founding anniversary of the BNP.

Mahdi said BNP is the only political party in Bangladesh's political history that has stood beside the people during every national crisis.

"History bears witness that whenever democracy in Bangladesh has been endangered, the BNP has led the struggle to restore it," he said.

Mahdi said Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman restored multi-party democracy after the BAKSAL period, while Begum Khaleda Zia ended autocratic rule and restored parliamentary democracy. "And today, after a prolonged fascist rule, under the leadership of our beloved leader Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, we are once again consolidating a democratic Bangladesh," he said.

He said the BNP's role in the history of freedom of speech and modern state reforms is unique and historic.

He said Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman restored press freedom in the country by opening up all closed media outlets instead of retaining only four state-owned newspapers. Later, during Begum Khaleda Zia's tenure, the country began to benefit from an open media environment and modern information technology.

"The present democratic government is working to create an environment where fundamental rights, the rule of law and freedom of expression will be fully ensured," he said.

Warning against misinformation in the name of freedom of speech, the Prime Minister's Office spokesperson said a group of conspirators was using the opportunity of freedom of expression to spread various forms of propaganda and use indecent language to incite people.

"Those who are engaging in extreme indecency and falsehood in the name of freedom of speech will face strict action by the law in its own course," he said.

Mahdi Amin said that whenever the BNP was in power, it had always broken the cycle of a subservient foreign policy and maintained an independent and sovereign position.

He said Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia had raised the dignity of the red-and-green flag on the world stage through their strong leadership in SAARC and the OIC.

"Under the far-sighted leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, that tradition of self-respect has returned once again. His heroic receptions in powers such as Malaysia and China are proof of that," he said.

On state reforms, he said the BNP is the principal architect of modern reforms in Bangladesh's history.

He said the roadmap for today's prosperous and self-reliant Bangladesh had been drawn up in light of Shaheed Zia's 19-point programme, Begum Khaleda Zia's 'Vision 2030', and subsequently Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's historic 27-point and 31-point programmes.

Mahdi Amin said Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and the BNP are entities intrinsically linked to the country's existence and national identity.

"We proudly say that we belong to the party whose founder, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, was the great proclaimer of Bangladesh's independence. He did not stop at declaring independence; as a valiant sector commander, he directly participated in the Liberation War and fought on the battlefield," he added.

The Prime Minister's adviser said the BNP, as a single organisation, had made the greatest contribution in terms of blood and sacrifice during the 16-year anti-fascist movement and the July mass uprising.

He said more than 420 BNP leaders and activists had been martyred for the country during the July mass uprising. As a single organisation, more than 140 JCD leaders and activists had also been martyred.

"This is the greatness of BNP politics and the real strength of JCD," he said.

Referring to the situation after August 5, 2024, the Prime Minister's Office spokesperson said that during those uncertain days, when there was no effective law-enforcement agency, administration or government in the country, BNP leaders and activists and those of its affiliated organisations, under the direct instructions of incumbent Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, took upon themselves the responsibility of protecting and ensuring the security of people across the country.

He said the role played by BNP leaders and activists made it possible to maintain stability in the country at that time.

On the driving forces of Bangladesh's economy, he said the two main pillars-the garments sector and the export of manpower abroad-were primarily developed under the leadership of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman.

"For nearly five decades, the country's economy has stood on foundations that he laid," he said.

He said initiatives such as canal excavation, the Green Revolution, formation of the Gram Sarkar and decentralisation of power had also been taken under Ziaur Rahman and were now being given a more modern form under the leadership of the Prime Minister.

"The present government's introduction of the 'Krishak Card' and 'Family Card' is essentially a continuation of that people-oriented politics of the BNP," he said.

The programme was moderated by JCD Central Organising Secretary Aman Ullah Aman.

Food Minister Afroza Khanam Rita, BNP Joint Secretary General Syed Emran Saleh Prince, central coordinator of Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal Advocate Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, Joint General Secretary of Zia Smriti Pathagar Central Committee Mahmuda Habiba, BNP Executive Committee Associate Secretary for Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebak Dal Abdul Kadir Bhuiyan Jewel, former JCD Central General Secretary Saif Mahmud Jewel, and General Secretary of Zia Smriti Pathagar Central Committee Md Zahir Dipti also spoke at the programme.