Jatiya Nagorik Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam on Friday described the upcoming election as a decisive contest to send genuine patriots and true representatives of the people to the parliament.

He made the remarks at a rally held ahead of a mass procession at Bashtala area of Bhatara in the capital, as part of his election campaign for Dhaka-11 constituency.

Nahid said the election would be one to defeat land grabbers, looters, loan defaulters and corrupt elements, and to ensure the victory of honest, pro-Bangladesh candidates.

“This election is not just about Dhaka-11,” he said. “We are standing across the whole of Bangladesh. There is no alternative to ensuring victory for the 10-party electoral alliance.”

Nahid expressed gratitude to Jamaat-e-Islami leader Atikur Rahman, who withdrew from the race in his favour and to party activists who joined the procession in support.

Thanking leaders and workers of the 10-party alliance, including Jamaat-e-Islami, he said the campaign in Dhaka-11 was being launched with a shared commitment to justice, corruption-free governance and the elimination of terrorism.

He urged voters to elect candidates of the 10-party alliance in every constituency, saying the alliance was contesting the election with the goal of forming the next government.

According to Nahid, there is no alternative to the 10-party alliance if Bangladesh is to move forward.

Referring to the 2024 mass uprising, Nahid said thousands had sacrificed their lives not merely for a change of government, but for structural reforms, democracy, justice, freedom of expression, national sovereignty and equality.

“This election is about transforming the power structure and reforming the state,” he said.

The NCP convener also alleged that a political party, alarmed by growing public support for the alliance, is spreading confusion, fear and misinformation across the country.

Addressing residents of Badda, Bhatara and Rampura, Nahid said he was born and raised in the area and acknowledged long-standing problems such as traffic congestion, gas and electricity shortages, extortion and crime.

He pledged to work toward resolving these issues and to completely eliminate extortion and terrorism in the constituency.

Following the rally, Nahid Islam led an election roadshow from Bashtala toward Rampura Bridge and later continued campaign activities at Rampura area.