The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Leaders and activists of both factions of the BNP and its front organisations yesterday observed the 72nd birth anniversary of the slain President Ziaur Rahman, the founder of the party, with a renewed pledge to establish multi-party democracy in the country.

They placed wreaths on the grave of Ziaur Rahman at Chandrima Uddyan in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the city separately to avert untoward incidents.

A former Chief of the Army Staff, General Zia was born in 1936 in Bagbari village under Gabtoli upazila of Bogra district and was assassinated in an abortive military coup in Chittagong on May 30 in 1981.

The BNP, its front organisations and different socio-cultural organisations, had chalked out different programmes to celebrate the day, but both the factions cancelled those after the death of Begum Taiyeba Majumder, mother of party Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.

A group of BNP leaders and workers, led by BNP Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain placed wreath at Zia's grave at 10:30am. Party leaders Nazrul Islam Khan, Begum Selima Rahman, Moazzem Hossain Alal, Khairul Kabir Khokon and Rizvi Ahmed accompanied Khandaker Delwar.

Leaders and activists of the other faction led by BNP Acting Secretary General Maj (retd) Hafizuddin Ahmed placed wreaths and offered fateha at about 12:30pm. BNP leaders Maj Gen (retd) ZA Khan, Shah Mohammad Abul Hossain and Nazir Hossain accompanied Maj Hafiz.

The law enforcement agency earlier prepared separate time schedules for leaders of the rival BNP groups and arranged adequate security in and around Zia's mazar to avert untoward incidents.

After placing wreath, Khandaker Delwar told journalists that the BNP remains united under the leadership of Begum Khaleda Zia.

He said BNP was committed to the ideals of Shaheed President Zia and vowed to free Khaleda to ensure democracy and development in the country.

"There is no split in BNP," he said, terming the party's reformist leaders as "misguided", for, what he said, reasons already known to the people.

Maj (retd) Hafiz said the birth anniversary of Zia was the day for taking a fresh pledge to follow the ideals and teachings the late President to establish a corruption free developed democratic society.

He said, "Shaheed Zia, in his lifetime, introduced the politics of mutli-party democracy, development, production to make Bangladesh a self-reliant country."

Both factions of the BNP cancelled their scheduled discussions meeting on Zia's life and work following the death of party Chairperson's mother.