Nagarik Oikya president Mahmudur Rahman Manna on Friday threatened a large-scale movement against hikes in prices of essential commodities after day temperatures dropped.
He said that the low voter turnout in the first phase of upazila parishad elections once again proved that people were not with the Awami League government and so they boycotted the polls.
Manna came up with the remarks while addressing a programme arranged by the Bangladesh Nagarik Odhikar Andolan in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka, protesting against increases in electricity, fuel prices and train fares and demanding release of all political prisoners, including the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairperson, Khaleda Zia.
He said, 鈥楾he government cannot reduce the price of essentials. It also cannot reduce the price of electricity. The amount of the foreign debt is now more than one hundred billion dollars.鈥�
鈥楾he Economic Council meeting was held specifically to repay the loan. What does the government actually have?鈥� he added.
Manna also said, 鈥楾he government does not have money to import goods from abroad for three months. Expatriates are sending money, but it鈥檚 not going to the government.鈥�
鈥楾here are no more chances to increase our exports. Only if foreigners give us dollars can the country survive. Otherwise, this country cannot survive,鈥� he said.
Manna said that the opposition political parties were not weakened.
He added that when the people would see the weakness in the government, they would come down on the streets.
鈥楾here is no compromise with the Sheikh Hasina government, and we have to fight for establishing rights of the people in the country,鈥� he said.
BNP joint secretary general Mahbub Uddin Khokon said that the government blocked the path of Khaleda Zia鈥檚 medical treatment in the name of law.
鈥業 will ask the honourable law minister to arrange for her to go abroad for treatment. Otherwise, the people will answer your revenge one day,鈥� he added.
BNP joint secretary general Moazzem Hossain Alal also addressed the programme, criticising the government for increasing train fares and fuel prices suddenly.