Main political opposition BNP has urged the government to withdraw its illogical decision to increase prices of electricity and gas from Tuesday saying that it would hit the lower- and middle-income people hard.
“When the price of oil dropped in the international market, raising the prices of gas and electricity in Bangladesh is illogical and unacceptable,” acting spokesperson of the party Asaduzzaman Ripon told reporters at its Nayapaltan headquarters.
He warned that apart from the common people, the country’s economy would suffer due to the price hike.
The party, however, refrained from announcing any protest programme against the new prices, declared on Thursday.
Activities of the BNP that came to power three times since 1991 have now been limited to holding press conferences and issuing statements, for what they say consistent repression of the government on its leaders and activists.
Ripon urged the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission to revise the prices after holding a mass hearing. “The government-loyal BERC has chosen the persistent abnormal political situation to increase the prices of gas and electricity even though participants at the previous mass hearing opposed the proposal.”
The BNP leader said that had corruption and system loss been checked, people would not have to suffer due to the price hike.
Criticising the government for giving subsidy of around Tk2,000 crore for the quick-rental power plants, he alleged that the government did not consider people’s sufferings because they had not assumed office through people’s votes.
Asked if the party would announce any protest programme, Ripon said: “The party high command will take a decision on the matter.”
Meanwhile, the police foiled a human chain organised by the Chittagong city unit BNP in protest against the price hike on the Press Club premises. The party supporters led by city unit General Secretary Dr Shahadat Hossen gathered at the place around 11am.
But the police intervened and asked the BNP leaders to refrain from holding the programme. Later they took away the banner and left the place.
Officer-in-Charge Jasim Uddin of Kotwali police said that the BNP leaders had nor taken permission to hold the programme.
