Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) alleged on Friday that the government increased tariffs of utility services to exacerbate sufferings of the people.
"The government of Sheikh Hasina has increased tariffs of water, gas and power so that people could suffer further," senior joint secretary general of BNP Ruhul Kabir Rizvi made the comment while addressing an event in front of the National Press Club in the city organised by Bangladesh Nagorik Andolon (Bangladesh Citizens Movement) protesting against tariff hike of power, gas and water (10 per cent) and vandalism of party's (BNP) acting chairman Tarique Rahman's mural in Bogura district.
"The managing director of Dhaka WASA is very powerful. He conducts his office from abroad. His job tenure has been extended despite corruption allegation against him. So we could understand why the head of the government appointed this type of people. They serve the government's purposes by implementing its (government) objectives and for this reason they increased water tariff," he said.
Referring to Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader's comment on Eid journey of the common people, he said, "You (Obaidul Quader) couldn't feel sufferings because police blow whistle to clear your way home. Do you know that ordinary passengers face extreme sufferings whenever they go to their near and dear ones for celebrating Eid. You are doing mockery with the people."
He alleged that government has promoted Benazir Ahmed from police commissioner to inspector general of police (IGP) as a reward for suppressing and oppressing the opponents.
Mr Rizvi also alleged that the government did not see their (Gen (retd) Aziz and Benazir) misdeeds.
"These Benazir and Aziz did help the government to remain in power illegally," he said.
He termed the government as 'syndicate and mafia friendly' and warmed that the government must take the responsibility of all misdeeds.
He said that people of the country would one day hold their (government) trial.
"Civilised people never support Awami League's politics. The leaders of Awami League don't need public votes for becoming public representatives. What Sheikh Hasina desires he or she will be elected," he continued.
He condemned vandalism of Tarique Rahman's mural in Bogura.
Joint secretary general of BNP Khairul Kabir Khokon, assistant office secretary of the party Monir Hossain, member of the executive committee Abu Naser Muhammad Rahmatullah and vice-president of a faction of Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) Rashedul Haque were present, among others.
Meanwhile, BNP standing committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy alleged on Friday that the government had been trying to destroy the Zia family.
"The independence of the country was not achieved only through speech rather it came through a bloody war," he said.
UNB reports: BNP senior leader Mirza Abbas on Friday alleged that the Awami League (AL) government has made the country a 'bottomless basket' again by indulging in widespread corruption and plundering.
"Many people get goose bumps hearing the name of Ziaur Rahman as he did what they (AL) were supposed to do," he said.
Speaking at a mass prayer programme, the BNP leader said late President Ziaur Rahman had uplifted the country from the condition of a bottomless basket during his brief tenure of only three and a half years.
"This government has made that Bangladesh bottomless again," he said.
Dhaka South City unit BNP arranged the programme on the road in front of the BNP's Nayapaltan central office in Friday afternoon seeking the salvation of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman, marking his 43rd death anniversary.
The leaders, activists and supporters of BNP from different wards of Dhaka south city participated in the prayers.
They also offered a munajat praying for eternal peace of Zia's departed soul and good health of party chief Khaleda Zia.
Abbas, a BNP standing committee member, slammed the government for hiking the fuel price when the country's people are going through serious trouble to cope with the skyrocketing prices of daily essentials.
"I saw in the newspaper that the price of fuel has been increased by Tk 2.5 per litre...this price was increased when people are struggling due to the growing price hikes in all commodities," he said.
The BNP leader feared that the prices of commodities will go up further with the rise in fuel price. "When the price of electricity and fuel increases, it badly affects the lives and livelihoods of people."
talhabinhabib@yahoo.com