( of
Bangladesh , as part of an alliance with
Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh (as of
October 2006 ). It was founded on
September 1 ,
1978 , by former
Military General Ziaur Rahman . The party has ruled the country in three separate terms. The party's chair is General Zia's widow,
Begum Khaleda Zia , an ex-
Prime Minister of Bangladesh. In 2001 elections the BNP and its
Islamist allies got 46% of the vote and 215 of the 300 seats in Parliament, while the
Secular Awami League got 40% of the votes and 62 seats to become the largest opposition party.
Major General Ziaur Rahman , during his tenure as
President of the republic, reoriented the country's
Foreign Policy , and moved away from the pro-Indian and
Pro-Soviet positions of the previous government. He emphasized the need for closer relations with
Muslim majority countries, including former sister country
Pakistan , and
The West , including the
United States and the
United Kingdom . Ties were also strengthened with the
Peoples Republic Of China , which, along with
Saudi Arabia , had only recognized Bangladesh after August 1975 when the country's founding father
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was assassinated.
The 1991-'96 and 2001-'06 BNP led governments' successes include development in the education sector, infrastructure and telecommunications development, growth of macro-economy, and improvement of law and order situation. However, failure to improve power generation, allowing the rise of Islamic militancy, and large-scale corruption by top party leaders have subjected them to frequent criticism. While both the governments were seen as business-friendly, their pro-market policies led to significant price-inflation.
The BNP promotes a very
Center-right policy combining elements of
Conservatism ,
Corporatism ,
Nationalism ,
Militarism , anti-
Anarchism and
Anti-communism . It is more popular among the country's
Business Class , military, and conservatives, and is credited with bringing socio-economic stability in the country. Two such parties, Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh and
Islami Oikya Jote , are currently coalition parters that ruled from 2001-2006 and are standing again in the upcoming 2007 elections.
