The BNP and Awami Jubo League organised separate rallies in Sylhet amid heightened security to avoid potential chaos between their supporters as the country's political arena heats up around the upcoming general election.
BNP's associate bodies—Chhatra Dal, Jubo Dal and Swechchhasebak Dal—organized the "Youth Rally" at Alia Madrasa Ground in Chowhatta area of Sylhet city at 3pm on Sunday.
Nearly two kilometres from their rally venue, Jubo League held a counter rally called "Tarunyer Joyjatra" at Registry Ground at the same time.
Addressing their event as the chief guest, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said that with the aim of restoring democracy in the country, the BNP will announce new political programmes at a rally in Dhaka tomorrow.
Urging the people to join them in the movement to topple the government, he said the country is going through an extreme crisis.
"The Awami League is trying hard to forcibly and illegally stay in power. The general election is a means for the government to do so. The government is using the Election Commission (EC) at its whim," he said.
The BNP leader alleged that the ruling party destroyed the country's election system.
"Fair polls are not held during any Awami League tenure; this party now knows how to ensure a fair election," he added.
Citing graft in the energy, health, and education sectors, among others, Fakhrul said: "Most of the country's youths are unemployed now. They have to bribe up to Tk2 million for a government job."
The government, he alleged, has harmed the people a lot.
"This situation must change, and for that, there is no alternative to toppling the government," Fakhrul said.
He demanded that the government dissolve the parliament and form a new EC for the next parliamentary election. "Only then will the country enter a new chapter," he added.
On the other hand, Jubo League Central General Secretary Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil said that the BNP is spreading propaganda against the government, aiming at returning to power.
"The party wants state power by any means, and in this regard, it is approaching foreigners. By doing so, the BNP is badly tarnishing the country's image with the outside world," Nikhil added.
Under the pretext of the "Youth Rally", the party is pushing the youth towards militancy and drug abuse, among other criminal acts, the Jubo League leader said.
To save the youths, Jubo League will continue its countrywide "Tarunyer Joyjatra" programme, he added.
