The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Friday staged a massive procession in Dhaka to mark National Revolution and Solidarity Day, turning the event into a major political show of strength ahead of the upcoming national polls.

Party insiders said the day’s programmes effectively kicked off BNP’s election campaign across the country.

BNP warns against election delay

Inaugurating the procession, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir accused the interim government of creating conditions that could delay the February 2026 parliamentary election.

“It is unfortunate that the interim government, which we supported, is now creating a situation that may obstruct the election,” Fakhrul said at a brief rally before the procession.

He alleged that certain political parties were exerting pressure on the government to hold a referendum before the polls. “We have said clearly that the referendum and national election must be held on the same day,” he added.

Holding two separate polls, Fakhrul argued, would waste resources and “undermine the importance of the main election.”

“There is a conspiracy regarding the election. The people of Bangladesh will never accept any attempt to delay the polls,” he warned.

Criticism of changes to July Charter

The BNP leader said his party had supported the interim government’s reform efforts and actively participated in drafting the July National Charter through the National Consensus Commission.

He alleged, however, that later revisions by the chief adviser and Commission Vice Chair Ali Riaz excluded several points agreed upon by all parties.  Rally draws thousands in the capital

Thousands of BNP leaders and activists from Dhaka North and South city units joined the procession, which began from the party’s Nayapaltan headquarters around 4pm and ended at the Sonargaon intersection after parading through Shantinagar, Malibagh, Mouchak, Moghbazar and Bangla Motor.

Supporters carrying portraits of Ziaur Rahman, Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman flooded the streets, waving BNP flags and chanting slogans. The area was festooned with banners, posters, and festoons.

Earlier in the morning, Fakhrul and senior BNP leaders paid tribute to party founder and former president Ziaur Rahman at his grave in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, offering prayers for his departed soul.

BNP vows to resist “conspiracies”

Speaking at the rally, BNP Standing Committee Member Mirza Abbas accused Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami of “conspiring against the country’s sovereignty” and warned that BNP activists would resist any move to delay the election.

Fakhrul also said the spirit of the 7 November “civil-military uprising” continued to inspire the BNP’s struggle for democracy.

“After the July-August mass uprising, fresh conspiracies are being hatched to destroy democracy again,” he told reporters after paying homage to Ziaur Rahman.

“The Revolution and Solidarity Day inspires us to build a truly democratic and prosperous Bangladesh where the people’s right to vote and justice will be ensured,” he added.

BNP reiterates stand on referendum

Asked about Jamaat’s proposal to discuss the referendum issue, Fakhrul said the BNP’s position was already made clear in its standing committee meeting.

In a resolution adopted Thursday night, the BNP reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the July National Charter and urged the interim government to take “sincere and lawful steps” to hold the national election on time.

Programmes across the country

BNP’s front and associate bodies organised various events nationwide to mark the day, including discussions, cultural programmes, photo exhibitions, documentary screenings, and the distribution of educational materials among orphan students.

District and upazila units also brought out rallies in observance of the occasion.

The party will hold its central discussion on 12 November at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Dhaka, as part of a ten-day programme running from 5 to 13 November.