Three associate organisations of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) — Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal, and Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal — are set to organise a massive youth rally in the capital’s Nayapaltan on Wednesday, with a projected turnout of at least 15 lakh youths.
At a press conference held at the BNP central office in Nayapaltan, President of Swechchhasebak Dal SM Jilani said, “We saw an overwhelming response from youths at our Chattogram rally. We successfully met our targets in Khulna and Bogura as well.”
He further informed that youths from Dhaka, Sylhet, Faridpur, and Mymensingh are expected to participate in the rally to ensure its success.
“Young people are eagerly awaiting the rally. With their spontaneous participation, they will voice their principal demand — the restoration of democracy — after being deprived of voting rights for the past 17 years,” Jilani added.
He noted that the rally would mark a forward step in the ongoing movement for restoring the political rights of the youth under the leadership of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman.
Earlier, on April 28, the three BNP wings announced a series of four youth rallies and four seminars across the country’s 10 divisions. The initiative aims to politically empower the youth and prepare them to play an active role in building a just and inclusive state structure.
The programme, which commenced on May 9 in Chattogram, has already been held in Khulna and Bogura, and will conclude in Dhaka on May 28 with the final rally.
BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is expected to address the Dhaka rally virtually as the chief guest and present the party’s political roadmap and future strategies to the country’s youth.
Senior BNP leaders, including Standing Committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Abdul Moyeen Khan, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, and Salahuddin Ahmed, are also scheduled to speak at the event.
Jubo Dal President Abdul Monayem Munna, while reading out a written statement at the press briefing, said a seminar titled “Taruner Chinta, Agamir Bangladesh’” will be held on Tuesday, with participation from youths of Dhaka, Faridpur, Sylhet, and Mymensingh.
“The seminar and the rally are not merely political events but part of a broader policy initiative to engage youth in shaping the future of the state,” Munna said.
Jubo Dal General Secretary Nurul Islam Nayon alleged that during the Awami League’s tenure, public sector jobs were distributed based on political affiliation.
“Young people want employment based on merit. BNP has the ability to ensure that. If BNP assumes office, one crore youths will be given employment within the first 18 months,” he claimed.