The Ganatantra Mancha leaders on Wednesday expressed their frustration over the interim government's inability to control the soaring prices of essential goods.
Saiful Haque, former coordinator of the Ganatantra Mancha and general secretary of the Biplobi Workers Party, accused the ruling Awami League of failing to dismantle the market syndicate.
He said: “The government has failed to dismantle the syndicate and has taken no effective measures. Immediate action is needed to control prices, as it is the public’s expectation.”
He claimed that the “Awami Syndicate” is controlling the market, stating, “Even after the fall of the autocracy, the market syndicate remains intact. The market is under the control of the syndicate's accomplices.”
Saiful was speaking on Wednesday at a press conference.
At the event, Mahmudur Rahman Manna, coordinator of Ganatantra Mancha and president of Nagorik Oikya, echoed these concerns, criticizing the lack of progress in addressing the economic and political challenges facing the country.
He pointed out that despite the change in government, many remnants of the previous administration remain in powerful positions, particularly within the bureaucracy, hampering reform efforts.
"The market syndicate remains strong, and it’s a clear sign that the current government is failing to live up to its promises," Manna remarked.
He also criticized the bureaucracy’s inefficiency, stating that over two months into the new administration, law enforcement agencies are still not fully active across the country, leaving the public vulnerable to escalating prices and insecurity.
He said: “Even after two and a half months, if we claim that the Awami League has organized things in such a way for the past 15 years that we can’t replace them, history will not accept that.”
He added: “Six months later, if we say we couldn’t accomplish anything, that’s not what people are ready to witness, especially from a place like the High Court.”
Manna hinted that the Awami League is attempting to make a comeback in various ways and advised the government to be strict.
He said: “If anyone engages in ‘terrorist activities’ to overthrow the government or disrupt the democratic process and no action is taken against them, it means the administration is ineffective and the police cannot do anything. History will hold them accountable for this failure because they are in power, and they should realize that.”
Ganatantra Mancha leaders urged the government to take immediate and decisive action to break the stranglehold of the market syndicate, warning that public dissatisfaction is growing.
They highlighted that the failure to act on these economic challenges could undermine the success of the 2024 student movement and the broader push for reforms.
Other leaders present at the conference, including Rafiqul Islam Bablu of the followers of Maulana Bhashani, Shahiduddin Mahmood Swapan of the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD), and Bachchu Bhuiyan of Ganosamhati Andolon, reiterated their call for the government to fulfill the public's expectations by tackling both economic and security issues head-on.
