Key BNP policymakers addressed a rally of thousands with strong messages stressing quick reform measures and reiterating the significance of the party's role as the main opposition camp during the Awami League regime.

Thousands of workers from factories in Dhaka, Narayanganj, Gazipur, Narsingdi, Tangail, Manikganj, and Munshiganj filled streets from Kakrail's Nightingale intersection all the way to Fakirapool as BNP's labour front, Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal, held the rally to mark Labour Day.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the party demanded immediate implementation of all reform proposals on which the parties have reached a consensus "and arrangements for holding elections without delay".

He suggested that the proposals that have not yet been agreed upon should be kept aside to be passed in the next parliament as part of the charter of reforms.

Regarding the humanitarian corridor to Myanmar's Rakhine, he said, "Please do not get into any agreements; do not ignore or neglect political parties and go against Bangladesh's interests."

Addressing those who question what BNP has done in the past 17 years, standing committee member Mirza Abbas said, "For 17 years, we watered the roots while you sat at the top and enjoyed the fruits... Hasina's fall did not happen in just a couple of days."

BNP Standing Committee Member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy said, "Although fascism has been removed, democracy has yet to see the light of day."

Referring to criticism of BNP on social media and in the press, he said, "All the writings are against BNP and against its leaders. Democracy and BNP are one and the same, inseparable."

"The conspiracy against BNP and democracy is intolerable to me. This will only stop when democracy is restored; otherwise, it will not."