UNB, Dhaka :BNP, its associate bodies and different socio-cultural organisations will observe the 35th death anniversaryof its founder Ziaur Rahman on Monday with holding various programmes across the country.On May 30, 1981, Zia was assassinated by army at Chittagong Circuit House. Zia founded the Bangladesh Nationalist Party in 1978. Born on January 19, 1936 at Bagbari in Bogra, Zia was a sector commander during the Liberation War and awarded with Bir Uttam, the highest gallantry award for a living officer for his wartime services. BNP and its associate organisations have chalked out a 15-day programme to observe the death anniversary. The programmes includes holding discussions, wearing black badges, publishing posters and supplements in newspapers and distributing food among the destitute. A BNP press release on Sunday said the party flag will be hoisted at half-mast, while black flags to be hoisted at the party’s Nayapaltan central office and all other party offices across the country at 6am on Monday. Besides, leaders and activists of the party, led by its chairperson Khaleda Zia, will place wreaths at Zia’s grave at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar at 10am.Jatiyatabadi Ulema Dal will organise a doa mahfil on the premises of Zia’s grave while Doctors’ Association of Bangladesh (DAB) arrange a voluntary blood donation programme there. DAB will also provide free medical treatment and medicine in front of the party’s central office the same day.BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia will distribute food among the destitute at different spots in the capital on May 30, 31 and June 1 to be arranged by Dhaka city unit BNP. BNP arranged a discussion meeting at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh on Sunday, marking the day. General Ziaur Rahman rose to power on November 7, 1975 following the coup of mid-August and the counter-coup of November 3.Khaleda Zia, widow of slain Ziaur Rahman, took over the helm of BNP after her husband’s murder. Led by Khaleda, the BNP governed the country thrice while it remained as the main opposition in parliament twice.
