National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam on Friday said Sylhet will become one of the strongest bases of the NCP in building a new Bangladesh.

He made the remarks while addressing a street rally at the Sylhet Central Shaheed Minar after leading a procession in the city as part of the party’s ongoing “July Campaign.”

“Sylhet has always stood at the forefront of history — from the 1947 referendum to the Liberation War and the July uprising. But the people of Sylhet have long been deprived first by the British, then by Pakistan, and even during the Awami League era,” Nahid said.

Paying tribute to the 17 Sylhet residents who were killed during the July uprising, including journalist ATM Turab, he said the NCP is committed to fulfilling the dreams of those martyrs through the creation of a just and inclusive Bangladesh.

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Nahid also highlighted the contribution of expatriates, especially the Sylheti community in London, to the national economy. “Our economy moves forward with the sweat of our brothers abroad. We are fighting for their voting rights and believe they should have a role in national policymaking,” he added.

Calling for mass participation at the party’s upcoming rally in Dhaka on August 3, he said the “July Charter” and “July Declaration” would be formally announced from that platform.

NCP's southern region coordinator Hasnat Abdullah said, “Our country has always been run by administrators, businessmen, or the military- never by the people. We want to build a people’s Bangladesh.”

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He claimed NCP has emerged as a clean political alternative, free from corruption and extortion.

Earlier, the NCP brought out a procession from Chowhatta, which ended at the Shaheed Minar with a rally moderated by northern coordinator Sarjis Alam. Senior party leaders including Anik Roy, Ehteshamul Haque, Tasnim Jara, Nasir Uddin Patwari, Sadia Farzana Dina, Samanta Sharmin, and Golam Mortuza Selim were also present.