Bangladesh Nationalist Party - BNP

eam center-right political party in Bangladesh. BNP ruled Bangladesh for a total of 14 years since its independence, longer than any other party in Bangladesh. It is the largest opposition party in the Jatiyo Sangshad, the Parliament of Bangladesh. Founded in 1978 by Lieutenant General (retd) Ziaur Rahman, the Seventh President of Bangladesh, the party has evolved into one of the most powerful and influential political entities in South Asia. The BNP was established by President Zia to provide a political platform for him after his assumption of power during Bangladesh's volatile period that resulted from the coup and counter coup during 1975. Ideologically, the party has professed Bangladeshi nationalism, and free market economic policies, including freedom of speech and press. The BNP described as the Islamic consciousness of the people of Muslim majority Bangladesh, in order to counter the secular Awami League. The BNP has been opposed to communism and socialism since its inception and advocates vigorous free market policies. Amongst its leaders, four have become President of Bangladesh and two have become Prime Minister of Bangladesh. Within the party, power has remained exclusively in the hands of the Zia family, with Begum Khaleda Zia leading the party since the assassination of Ziaur Rahman, her husband and the party's founder.