Three BNP bodies set to hold ‘massive’ youth rally in Dhaka Wednesday

Three associate bodies of the BNP -- Jubo Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal and Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal -- are planning to hold a massive youth rally at Nayapaltan in the city on Wednesday, with the participation of at least '1.5 million young people'.

"We witnessed a huge gathering of youths at our Chattogram rally. Our targets in Khulna and Bogura have been fully achieved, drawing the attention of youths from all walks of life. We expect that at least 1.5 million young people will join our Dhaka rally, breaking all previous records," said Swechchhasebak Dal President SM Jilani.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of the rally at the BNP's Nayapaltan central office, he said youths from Dhaka, Sylhet, Faridpur and Mymensingh will attend the rally to ensure its success.

"Youths are eagerly waiting to join the rally... by making the rally successful with their spontaneous support, the youth, who have been deprived of their voting rights for 17 years, will highlight their prime demand for the restoration of democracy," Jilani said.

With this rally, he said, they will take a step forward in the ongoing movement for restoring the youths' voting rights under the leadership of Tarique Rahman.

Earlier, on April 28, the three BNP associate bodies announced their plans to hold four seminars and four rallies involving youths from 10 divisions, with the aim of empowering them to help build a just state structure.

Their programme, which began on May 9 in Chattogram, will conclude in Dhaka on May 28 (Wednesday). They also held seminars and rallies in Khulna and Bogura.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman will virtually join the Dhaka rally as the chief guest and present the party's political outline and future strategy to the country's young generation.

Senior BNP leaders, including Standing Committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Abdul Moyeen Khan, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and Salahuddin Ahmed, are also scheduled to address the rally.

Jubo Dal President Abdul Monayem Munna read out a written statement at the press conference, stating that their two-day programme will focus on the country's young generation.

He said a seminar titled 'Youth's Future Thought, Future Bangladesh' will be held on Tuesday, with participation from young people representing Dhaka, Faridpur, Sylhet and Mymensingh, while the rally to establish youths' political rights' will take place on Wednesday.

Munna also said the series of seminars and rallies for young people are not merely political events, but a broad policy initiative. "Through this, young people are being involved in envisioning the future of the state."

Jubo Dal General Secretary Nurul Islam Nayon said public jobs were given to youths based on party identity during the Awami League government's tenure.

"The youth demand that the state ensures their employment. BNP has that capability. If BNP comes to power, one crore youth will be employed within the first 18 months," he said.