Nahid Islam, convener of National Citizen Party (NCP) and a former adviser, has alleged that attempts are being made to bring a certain political party to power through “election engineering,” drawing parallels to the 2008 elections.
Speaking as the chief guest at an election rally held on Thursday at the Ghorashal Post Office ground in Narsingdi, Nahid stated that the country required radical reforms following the events of 5 August.
He emphasised that the mass uprising was not merely to oust the Hasina regime but to dismantle the fascist system she created. He criticised those who had previously proposed a 31-point reform plan but are now failing to uphold those commitments.
“If elected, we will prioritise reforms in the education and health sectors,” Nahid said, noting that previous promises of cheap rice by the former regime never materialised for the public.
He further questioned the ability of veteran politicians to ensure public safety when they cannot protect their own activists, suggesting they should retire to allow the youth to rebuild Bangladesh.
He also urged Jamaat-e-Islami activists to set aside individual interests and work unitedly for the 11-party alliance to eliminate hegemony.
Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan, NCP Spokesperson and chairman of the Central Election Steering Committee, addressed local issues, noting that unplanned urbanisation in Narsingdi and Palash is creating health risks.
He promised that the 11-party alliance would prioritise local employment while protecting the environment.
Asif Mahmud also criticised a rival party chairman’s “card” scheme, alleging the chairman himself is confused by the various cards. He highlighted the upcoming referendum on 12 February, which he described as a vote to build a “fascist-free Bangladesh.”
He urged citizens to vote “Yes” in the referendum to ensure the security of women and to rid the country of extortionists and land grabbers.
Sarwar Tushar, NCP joint convener and the 11-party alliance candidate for Narsingdi-2, alleged that extortion by a major party has increased in the industrial areas of Palash and Ghorashal, as well as at toll plazas.
Tushar cited the brutal murder of the Jhenaigati Upazila Secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami as an example of ongoing violence. He warned that any attempts to rig the vote on 12 February would trigger a repeat of the July uprising in Narsingdi.
His priorities, if elected, include reclaiming the occupied Eidgah ground and ending “corpse politics.” He also demanded justice for Shahid Usman Hadi.
The rally was also addressed by Monira Sharmin, Secretary of the NCP Election Steering Committee, and Advocate Tarikul Islam, Convener of Jubo Shakti, along with other national and local leaders.
