The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is a major political party in Bangladesh, founded in 1978 by Ziaur Rahman. The party promotes nationalism, democracy, and social justice, and it has played a significant role in the country's political landscape since its inception. The BNP has been in power several times, with its most notable tenure from 1991 to 1996 and again from 2001 to 2006. The party's symbol is a sheaf of paddy, representing agriculture and rural development, which are vital to the economy of Bangladesh.