Leader of the Opposition and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman has said the government threatens the return of autocracy whenever the opposition raises concerns over the country’s oil, gas and electricity crisis.
“When we talk about the crisis of oil, gas and electricity, the government threatens and intimidates us by saying that autocracy will return. Yet the people of the country are suffering,” he said while exchanging views with journalists at Bogra Circuit House on Saturday.
Shafiqur said the opposition had wanted to cooperate with the government in parliament to resolve the crisis by forming a team of technical experts, but the proposal was not accepted.
“We wanted to cooperate from the opposition benches in parliament to resolve this crisis by forming a team comprising technical experts. But the government did not accept our proposal. After repeatedly speaking about it inside parliament but being unable to do anything, we were forced to take to the streets,” he said.
Referring to the country’s gas, oil and fuel crisis, the opposition leader said: “We said in parliament that we want to participate in resolving it. We have a team of experts. We proposed to the government to form an expert team with their coordination, but there was no response.
“If the government had taken alternative measures at the scheduled time, the situation would not have become so complicated. The opposition wanted to cooperate with the government. But as that proposal was not accepted, opposition parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami, were forced to give programs such as the long march.”
The Jamaat ameer said the government had initially denied the existence of the crisis, but the energy and electricity crisis was now having a negative impact on the economy, particularly the industrial sector.
“If the crisis in fuel supply continues for a long time, production may be disrupted and its impact on the economy may increase further,” he said.
Shafiqur also alleged that the government had violated its commitment to implement reforms after coming to power.
“After the 2024 revolution, the people wanted fundamental reforms in the country. With the aim of those reforms, the people voted in favor of ‘Yes’ in the referendum and made it victorious. But immediately after coming to power, the government violated that promise. They did not implement the verdict of the referendum,” he said.
Expressing dissatisfaction over the pace of industrialization and development in Bogra, Shafiqur said the district had long been neglected despite its geographical importance.
“Due to its geographical location, Bogra is an important centre of communication. At one time, the district was called a mini industrial city. But even after 55 years of independence, the expected industrialization has not taken place here,” he said.
“Now, wherever we see irregularities, we will speak out. But that does not mean I thought I would have to speak for Bogura. Bogra has always been neglected and deprived. We also want the people of Bogra to get what they are entitled to.”
Bogra metropolitan Jamaat Ameer Abidur Rahman Sohel, IFSUR Secretary General Dr Mostafa Faisal Parvez and local Jamaat leaders were present during the exchange of views.
Later, Shafiqur Rahman attended the Rukon conference of Bogra district and metropolitan Jamaat as the chief guest and inaugurated the construction work of the Shaheed Abdul Malek Welfare Foundation Complex.
