National Citizen Party (NCP) Member-Secretary and Member of Parliament (MP) Akhter Hossen has accused the BNP government of failing to control commodity prices, improve law and order, ensure the supply of power, energy, gas, and fertilizer, and implement the referendum verdict during its six months in office.
Consequently, the government has become entirely alienated from the general public, he claimed.
The NCP leader made these remarks at a press conference held at the party’s central office in Dhaka on Thursday, following a coordination meeting of the 11-party alliance to plan their upcoming long march programme.
Failure in energy and agriculture
Akhter Hossen alleged that despite the alliance raising public demands in parliament, the government has not shown the willingness to accept them. He pointed out that while fuel prices and power tariffs have been increased multiple times since the government took office, widespread load-shedding continues to plague the country.
In rural areas, power cuts last 12 to 14 hours daily, and sometimes longer, he said, citing his personal observations during a recent visit to his village.
Furthermore, he highlighted a severe fertilizer crisis that is hampering crop production for farmers, and a gas shortage that has forced industrial factories to shut down and left household consumers relying on gas for cooking in deep distress.
He termed the government’s performance in the energy sector a “complete failure”. He also accused the government of trying to cover up people’s sufferings by falsely claiming there is no power crisis.
Deteriorating law and order
Criticising the deteriorating law and order situation, Akhter noted that extortion, mugging, and robbery have become rampant across the country. He cited the tragic death of a schoolteacher who was injured in a mugging in front of the Parliament Building after coming to Dhaka for medical treatment. He claimed that citizens are no longer safe anywhere, from the Parliament area to remote villages.
He also questioned the ongoing trials of the violence during the 2024 mass uprising, describing the environment at the time as genocidal.
He alleged that the accused in these cases are being brought to court with smiling faces, while the sentences of those guilty of crimes against humanity are being reduced. He claimed that the government has failed to take effective steps to ensure justice for the genocide.
Politicisation and human rights
The NCP leader further accused the administration of rampant politicisation. Despite expectations of an impartial administration, partisan appointments are being made from City Corporations down to Union Parishads, with Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leaders and activists being positioned as administrators.
He also voiced concerns over the Human Rights Commission and the proposed legislation regarding enforced disappearance. He argued that the draft laws are being weakened in a way that shields those responsible for enforced disappearances, killings, and human rights violations from justice.
Due to the price hikes of commodities—with an item costing 200 BDT six months ago now priced at 250 BDT—and shortages of power, gas, and fertilizer, public mistrust in the government has grown, he said.
Long march to Chattogram
To highlight public suffering, the 11-party alliance has announced a long march programme from Dhaka to Chattogram on Saturday. Akhter said the alliance is still prepared to give the government time, but only if it is used for public welfare.
He warned that if the government fails to control prices, implement the referendum verdict, and resolve the energy and fertilizer crises, it will lose public acceptance. He urged the government and law enforcement agencies not to obstruct the march, warning that suppressing opposition with party activists would mean returning to “old, repressive ways”.
NCP Chief Coordinator Naseeruddin Patwari stated that the party is transitioning back to a “movement mode,” noting that the dreams of building a “New Bangladesh” through the 2024 uprising remain unfulfilled.
The long march will commence from Shapla Chattar in Dhaka at 7am on Saturday and conclude at Laldighi Maidan in Chattogram. To minimise public inconvenience, the fleet size has been reduced from 5,000 to 1,000 vehicles, and one lane of the road will be kept open for traffic, a matter already discussed with the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
The route will cover Chattogram Road’s Siddhirganj truck stand, Comilla, Mahipal in Feni, and Mirsharai. Patwari added that subsequent programmes will be held in Rangpur, Sylhet, and Khulna, followed by a major rally in Dhaka.
NCP’s election plans
NCP’s Northern Region Chief Organiser Sarjis Alam reported that during a visit to 11 districts in the Chattogram division last week, their motorcade was attacked in Brahmanbaria, injuring party members. He claimed local ruling party leaders are pressuring field administrators.
Alam demanded the immediate arrest and maximum punishment of the direct attacker behind an assault that damaged the eye of an activist named Alif. He urged the administration to ensure security from Shapla Chattar to Laldighi Maidan amidst online threats.
On electoral plans, Alam announced that while the 11-party alliance is working together locally, the NCP will contest local government elections independently.
The party aims to establish convening committees in all Union Parishads by November. It has already fielded candidates in 100 Upazilas and municipalities, with 100 more to be announced by September. Mayoral candidates have been declared for five City Corporations, and the rest will be named by the same month.
Preparations are also underway to declare NCP-supported chairman candidates in approximately 4,600 Union Parishads by November, targeting candidate declarations from union to ward levels.
