The BNP yesterday held a syndicate of ruling party-backed businesspersons responsible for the current rise in the prices of essentials. “A ruling party-backed businesspersons' syndicate is responsible for the rise in the prices of essentials. The prices can't be reduced and the economic crisis can't be resolved only by delivering speeches or issuing statements. After all, all those responsible for the price hike belong to the Awami League (AL),” said BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. Speaking at a press conference at the party’s central office in Naya Paltan, Fakhrul alleged that though the present government believed in a free-market economy, it was busy protecting the interest of party-backed businesspersons.

The BNP secretary general criticized the government for its failure to control the rise in the prices of essentials, saying that after snatching the voting rights of the people, they were now destroying people’s peace and happiness. He compared the prices of essential commodities from September 12, 2006, the last period of Khaleda Zia-led BNP government, and December 1 of this month under the regime of the

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina-led AL. He claimed that the prices of essential commodities doubled during the last 13 years. The prices of some commodities even increased three times.  

He said the people wanted the government to take effective steps to control the price rise. “An accountable government is needed to keep the prices of essential commodities under control,” he added.

The BNP leader said the government should be made to hold a free and fair election under a neutral administration after repealing the last election, which he described as a poll devoid of voters.