বাংলাদেশ জাতীয়তাবাদী দল — founded by President Ziaur Rahman on the principles of Bangladeshi nationalism, democracy, and sovereign independence. One of the nation's two historically dominant political forces.
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) — বাংলাদেশ জাতীয়তাবাদী দল — was established on 1 September 1978 by President Ziaur Rahman. Known at its founding as the "Party of the Freedom Fighters of the Battlefield," BNP emerged from the Jatiyatabadi Front and consolidated nationalists, freedon fighters, and civic leaders under a single banner.
The party rose as one of Bangladesh's two dominant forces alongside the Awami League. Ziaur Rahman led it until his assassination in 1981, after which Khaleda Zia took the helm — becoming the first female Prime Minister of Bangladesh and the second female PM of a Muslim-majority nation. The BNP has governed Bangladesh across six separate terms and holds the record for the largest parliamentary opposition (116 seats) in the country's history. In 2026, BNP won the general election under the leadership of Tarique Rahman.
Following Khaleda Zia's passing on 30 December 2025, Tarique Rahman became Chairperson of BNP and led the party to victory in the 2026 general election. He now serves as Prime Minister of Bangladesh, implementing the 31-Point Reform Charter and Family Card Programme. The party's ideology blends Bangladeshi nationalism with a respect for Islamic and Bengali cultural traditions, a pro-sovereignty foreign policy, and market-friendly economic principles.
| Year | Seats Won | Seats (Visual) | Result | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | 207 / 300 | 207 |
Government | Shah Azizur Rahman, PM |
| 1991 | 140 / 300 | 140 |
Government | Khaleda Zia, 1st female PM |
| Feb 1996 | 278 / 300 | 278 |
Government | Election boycotted by major parties |
| June 1996 | 116 / 300 | 116 |
Opposition | Largest opposition in BD history 🏆 |
| 2001 | 193 / 300 | 193 |
Government | Khaleda Zia, 4-Party Alliance |
| 2008 | 30 / 300 | 30 |
Opposition | Post-military caretaker transition |
| 2014 | Boycott | — |
Boycott | Demanded neutral caretaker govt. |
| 2018 | 7 / 300 | 7 |
Opposition | Disputed; results widely contested |
| 2024 | Boycott | — |
Boycott | Demanded free & fair process |
| 2026 | Majority | ✓ |
Government | Tarique Rahman sworn in as PM 🏆 |
The BNP's constitution was drafted within 21 days of formation. Below are members of the original founding convening committee (76 members) and the National Standing Committee — the highest decision-making body of the party.
The Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Jubodal (যুবদল) was formed in September 1978, with Abul Kashem as Chief Convener and Saifur Rahman heading the Dhaka unit. Mirza Abbas became the Dhaka unit President. This became one of Bangladesh's largest youth political organisations.
The Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Chatra Dal (ছাত্রদল) was founded as the student wing. It won control of DUCSU (Dhaka University Central Students' Union) in 1990, playing a pivotal role in the mass uprising that ousted Ershad's regime.