Dhaka, July 3 -- On the second day of its month-long "Desh Garte July Padayatra" (July Walkathon for Nation Building), the National Citizen Party (NCP) ramped up its grassroots campaign in the northern districts, holding rallies in Kurigram and Lalmonirhat and invoking the spirit of last year's July Uprising.

Addressing a midday rally in Ghoshpara, Kurigram, NCP Convener Nahid Islam issued a strong warning against delays in implementing the long-promised Teesta Master Plan. He also criticised what he called an urban-centric development agenda that overlooks rural communities.

"We will not tolerate delays over the Teesta Master Plan," Nahid said, speaking to a crowd gathered at the Liberation War Memorial. "Development must reach the fur...