Dhaka, May 1 -- Workers from the Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Shramik Dal, or Nationalist Labour Party, have rallied to demand the national polls be held "immediately" during a May Day gathering.

The BNP's labour affiliate held a rally in front of the party office in Naya Paltan to commemorate May Day on Thursday.

The programme began with the recitation of the Quran at 2:10pm. BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is expected to deliver a speech addressing the crowd virtually from London.

Thousands of leaders and supporters of the labour group attended the rally, stretching from Fakirapool to Kakrail intersection as voices shouting "May Day is calling, down with discrimination" filled the air.

Donning red T-shirts with red caps, the attendees ...