Rasheduzzaman Rashed had arrived at the Central Shaheed Minar all the way from Nilphamari.
The nearly 300 kilometre journey by road didn't seem to have flustered him.
"I have come to the NCP rally carrying the dreams of a country that is friendly to workers and farmers. Along with this, I have come with the demand that education and medical care should no longer be sold as commodities," he said.
Rashed had been joined by thousands like him. For them, this was a chance for a change. And they wanted their demands to be known.
On Sunday, all eyes were on the rally of the National Citizen Party (NCP), which came soon after the one held by the Chhatra Dal, BNP's student wing.
People from all over the country joined the procession, chanting various slogans, clapping and even dancing to the tunes wafting through the air.
While the party leaders would lay down reasons they should be elected, people arrived to ensure their demands were met.
Mohammad Zahid Hossain, who lost his eye in the July uprising, marched forward with the band, sporting the national flag like a bandana.
"I lost my right eye in police firing during the anti-quota movement. On this day of the July Uprising, Nahid Islam made a statement while standing at this very Shaheed Minar. Today he called again, that's why I came. We have faith in Nahid Islam; he will announce a suitable manifesto today, that's what I came to hear," the Mirpur resident said.
Another participant, Shamsur Nahar Sikder Halima, was taking selfies with her friends, all waving the NCP flag.
The Shariatpur Sadar resident believed the era of dictators was firmly behind the country's people.
"I hope that the NCP will break that system. But we also have other demands," she said.
She highlighted rising inflation and urged that the NCP strictly monitor the market if it comes to power.
"Another demand is that we want a people's police. We don't want a party police anymore."
Elsewhere, amid the crowd, Mohammad Ruhul, hailing from Jashore, raised the question of reforms.
"My question to the nation, to Dr Yunus, is what have you done in the one year you have been in power? Is this what reform means? And those we called upon to give blood in July are now extorting… So what do we assume is the meaning of reform?"
Meanwhile, NCP Convener Nahid Islam announced the formulation of a new constitution and a "Second Republic".
His speech, met with cheers, also touched upon a number of pressing issues the crowd wanted to discuss.
As the gathering began to break, some stayed behind, meandering among the mass.
Some questions were answered. Others were not.
The new party would continue to be closely watched. More demands would come.
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