BNP National Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury. File photo.

DHAKA, Aug 15, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) National Standing Committee Member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury today said that Bangladesh stands only because of the uncompromising leadership of former Prime Minister Desh Netri Begum Khaleda Zia.

"Begum Khaleda Zia had to lead the struggles for the hopes and aspirations of the people of Bangladesh, independence and sovereignty, improvement of the living standards of people from all walks of life, and political and democratic rights (of the country)," he said.

Khosru, also finance and planning minister, made the remark while speaking at a milad and doa mahfil at the BNP's Nayapaltan central office in the capital, marking the 82nd birthday of former Prime Minister and late BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, dubbed as 'Gonotantrer Maa (Mother of Democracy)'.

Noting that difficult times come in politics, he said those who can overcome such difficult times, withstand pressure and survive amid repression and persecution are the true leaders in the hearts of the people of Bangladesh. 

"Desh Netri Begum Khaleda Zia is a true leader in the hearts of the people of Bangladesh," the BNP leader added.

He said Begum Khaleda Zia secured the place as an 'Uncompromising Leader' due to her uncompromising stance. 

"At different times in her life, she faced various pressures. Many people broke down and bowed under such pressure. But Begum Khaleda Zia never bowed to any pressure. As she did not bow, we were able to stand firm. If she had bowed, we could not have stood," Khosru added.

He said Begum Khaleda Zia's firm and uncompromising stance had advanced the movement and struggle for the democratic aspirations of the people of Bangladesh. 

She continued to serve as the driving force behind the politics of long struggle and sacrifice, the BNP leader said.

Khosru said that despite all-out attempts to destroy Begum Khaleda Zia and kill her life, she overcame everything and remained Bangladesh's most popular leader.

She passed away with the recognition that the people of Bangladesh gave her before and after her death, he added.

Stating that there was no reason to think that everything had become easy simply because the party came to power, Khosru said the issues of past movements, struggles and sacrifices must be remembered and upheld.

"If everyone together can implement the programmes that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has decided to undertake to bring stability to Bangladesh's politics and change the fate of the people in the days ahead, the life and sacrifices of Desh Netri Begum Khaleda Zia will be worthwhile," he added.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi moderated the doa and milad mahfil.

Presidential candidate from ruling BNP and its former secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, BNP National Standing Committee members Gayeshwar Chandra Roy and Dr Abdul Moeen Khan spoke at the event.