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Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson Khaleda Zia yesterday warned that her 20-party alliance would launch fresh agitation if the government raises power and fuel tariffs again. |
“I want to say the prices of power and fuel can’t be raised again. The tariffs of those should be cut down instead. If the prices are hiked we won’t sit idle,” she told a rally at Kanchpur Balurmath in eastern Narayanganj district.
Zia further said: “I would like to issue the last warning that we’ll announce tougher agitations if the prices of power and fuel are hiked … the agitation would be enforced right the following day of the government’s announcement. We’ll return home this time after ousting you.”
As she asked her audience whether they will be there in the field to implement her alliance programmes, they replied loudly in chorus saying, “Yes, yes.”
Hailing her audience for their spontaneous response, an overwhelmed Zia then said, “Bravo, bravo”.
The former prime minister reiterated that they will take to the streets for assuaging public sufferings, ensuring their welfare and realising their rights, asserting that her party works for people.
She wondered that the government is planning to increase the fuel prices in the country at a time when the prices of those items have fallen in the global market.
Zia was also harsh about the government for what she said its failure to ensure the fair prices for the produce of the country’s farmers.
She alleged that the government has imported 500,000 tonnes of rice though there has been a bountiful production of crops in Bangladesh, frustrating the farmers as they are not getting the fair price for their paddy.
The BNP chief claimed that the ruling party in the last six years did not do anything good for the country.
“Whenever Awami League comes to power, it takes the country backward and puts it on the verge of destruction.”
The local unit of the BNP-led 20-party alliance arranged the rally protesting the ‘growing’ incidents of killing, enforced disappearance, abduction and the government’s
repressive acts.
The rally was also meant for drumming up public support in favour of the alliance’s demand for a fresh national election under a neutral government.
