BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday paid homage to party founder Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia by placing wreaths at their graves in the capital, marking National Revolution and Solidarity Day.

Tarique, the eldest son of Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia, went to their graves at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar around 8:30am and first placed a wreath there in his capacity as the Prime Minister.

He stood in solemn silence for a while as a mark of respect for them.

Later, flanked by senior party leaders, he placed another wreath on behalf of the BNP as its chairman.

Tarique and other party leaders also joined a special munajat seeking the salvation of the departed souls of the party's founder and former chairperson.

BNP acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Standing Committee members Nazrul Islam Khan, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed, Dr AZM Zahid Hossain, Amanullah Aman and Farhad Halim Donar, Vice-Chairmen Ahmed Azam Khan and Nurul Islam Moni, and Publicity Secretary Sultan Salauddin Tuku, among others, were present.

Tarique pays tribute to Zia, Khaleda on National Revolution and Solidarity Day

After Tarique left the grave premises, a large number of BNP leaders, activists and supporters gathered there and paid tribute to Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia.

Leaders and activists of different BNP-affiliated organisations, including the party's Dhaka north and south units, also placed wreaths at Ziaur Rahman's grave.

The government and the BNP are observing National Revolution and Solidarity Day today with elaborate programmes, marking the 51st anniversary of the historic events of November 7, 1975.

The government has earlier declared the day a public holiday.

The BNP began the day’s programmes early in the morning by hoisting national and party flags at its central office in Nayapaltan and the party chairman's Gulshan office.

The party will bring out a colourful rally from in front of its Nayapaltan central office at 3pm, which Tarique will inaugurate.