National Citizen Party (NCP) South Region Chief Organizer Hasnat Abdullah on Thursday alleged that Bangladesh has not witnessed the desired political change, claiming that only the "faces of extortionists and corrupt individuals" have changed.
Speaking as the chief guest at a rally following the party's "July March" programme in Sonagazi municipality of Feni, Hasnat said extortion, drug trafficking and case trading had merely shifted from one group to another.
"We wanted an end to extortion, not just a change in extortionists. We wanted an end to corruption. Unfortunately, only the people involved have changed," he said.
The rally was organised to press for the implementation of a referendum, employment generation and stronger border security. It was chaired by Feni district NCP Convener Zahidul Islam Soikat.
Earlier, central party leaders joined a procession through Sonagazi Bazar as part of the programme.
Criticising the BNP-led government, Hasnat alleged that despite promises of improved governance, people were instead facing power shortages.
"The government promised electricity but has put hurricane lamps and candles in people's hands. Now electricity does not go out; it comes only occasionally," he said.
He also claimed that while the government had promised employment, drug abuse and gambling had expanded instead.
Rejecting allegations of corruption against his party, Hasnat challenged critics to produce evidence.
"If anyone can prove even one taka of corruption against us, bring the evidence. No one will be able to prove it. We entered politics to make corrupt politics difficult," he said.
Referring to the movement for public sector jobs that preceded last year's mass uprising, Hasnat said unemployment remained a major concern.
"We have yet to ensure jobs for the unemployed youths whose movement sparked the mass uprising. New recruitment circulars are not being issued because jobs are allegedly being reserved on partisan considerations," he said.
He also criticised the government for failing to fulfil its pledge of creating 10 million jobs.
"The Prime Minister promised 10 million jobs after coming to power. But in the last six months, not only has the target of 10 million remained unmet, not even one million jobs have been created. In fact, not a single new job has been ensured," he alleged.
Hasnat further criticised repeated assurances of action against drug trafficking after Eid festivals, saying the promised crackdown had yet to materialise.
"If it is not made clear after which Eid the operation will begin, students and people will again take to the streets as they did in 2024 and build resistance across the country," he said.
Addressing the rally, NCP Joint Convener Ali Ahsan Junaid said the party would continue its movement until the proposed referendum was implemented.
He expressed hope that the government would respond to public demands through effective measures and said the party would mobilise public support to press its demands.
During the programme, Hasnat introduced Sonagazi Upazila NCP Member Secretary Suza Uddoula as the party's candidate for chairman in the upcoming Sonagazi Upazila Parishad election.
Earlier in the day, NCP leaders visited the graves of two people described by the party as martyrs of the July 2024 uprising in Fulgazi and Sonagazi upazilas and met their family members.
The "July March-2026" programme marked the beginning of the party's campaign in southern Bangladesh under its "July Awakening to Build the Nation" initiative. Central and local NCP leaders and activists attended the events.