The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (Bengali: বাংলাদেশ জাতীয়তাবাদী দল Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Dôl), commonly referred to as the BNP, is the mainstream center-right political party in Bangladesh. It is currently 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 state of emergency imposed by President Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1974 and Awami League misrule and corruption since war of indepence. 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. It is also seen to distrust Bangladesh's large neighbour India and often opposes cooperation with the neighboring country in combating terrorism and establishing regional connectivity. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party has held power in Bangladesh for five separate terms. 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,
