NCP Organizes Rally with Hired Participants

Staff Reporter

The National Citizens’ Party (NCP) held a protest rally demanding the banning and prosecution of the Awami League. The rally took place on Friday at Bangabandhu Avenue, where the party reportedly hired people to showcase the dominance of their supporters.

The rally, which began around 3 PM after Friday prayers at the southern gate of Baitul Mukarram, revealed that many participants were unaware of the purpose of the event. Some believed it was organized by the BNP, while others thought it was by Jamaat. A significant portion of the attendees reportedly joined on a contract basis for fees ranging from 500 to 1,000 taka.

One such participant, Hajera Begum, who works at a household in Gopibagh, attended the rally upon the recommendation of her employer for a fee of 750 taka. However, she alleged that she was paid only 500 taka at the venue. She stated, “The house owner connected us to Mushfiq from Gopibagh yesterday. He brought 13 of us at a contract of 750 taka for half a day. At the rally, they gave us one packet of tehari each. When paying, they deducted 250 taka, citing the food cost.”

Rickshaw puller Habu Mia from Kamrangirchar attended the rally on behalf of central leader Joynal Abedin Shishir. He also joined on a contract for 800 taka. Speaking to BD Digest at the rally, he said, “The new party brought us here. They said Shishir Sahib is our leader. They offered 800 taka to stay from noon till evening. So, I agreed. They also provided snacks when we left. Missing my afternoon shift didn’t result in any loss.”

Throughout the rally, it was observed that a segment of worshippers from Baitul Mukarram stood for a while to watch the proceedings, making the gathering appear larger initially. However, as time passed, the crowd began to thin out.

Present on the stage during the rally were NCP Convenor Md. Nahid Islam, Senior Joint Convenor Samanta Sharmin, Joint Convenor Nusrat Tabassum, Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain, Senior Joint Member Secretary Dr. Tasnim Zara, Chief Organizer for the Northern Region Sarjis Alam, Chief Organizer for the Southern Region Hasnat Abdullah, Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary, and Senior Joint Chief Coordinator Abdul Hannan Masud.

Due to the NCP rally, the main road from Zero Point at Baitul Mukarram to Bangabhaban was barricaded, halting vehicular movement and resulting in severe traffic congestion.