The National Citizens Party (NCP) has announced a plan to form a reserve force comprising youth participants, which would be twice the size of the existing army. The announcement was made on Sunday in Shahjadpur, Sirajganj, during a campaign rally for the 11-party alliance’s ‘Shapla Koli’ symbol and the ‘Yes’ vote in the upcoming referendum. NCP spokesperson and election steering committee chairman Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan made the declaration while addressing the event.

Bhuiyan stated that Bangladesh has faced threats to its sovereignty at various times, and certain political groups have allegedly been used to undermine national independence. He said the NCP intends to engage the youth to counter such threats. According to him, this initiative is part of the party’s election manifesto. Bhuiyan also criticized rival parties for lacking clear positions on defending the country against external aggression, while accusing them of nominating candidates with foreign ties.

Other speakers at the event included NCP election committee member secretary Monira Sharmin and Sirajganj-6 NCP candidate S.M. Saif Mustafiz.