NCP Convener and Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam has accused the BNP government of reviving corruption, extortion, violence and syndicates, saying that “extortionists and autocrats have become one”.
He made the remarks at a public meeting organised by the Shariatpur district unit of NCP at the Shariatpur Municipality auditorium on Tuesday.
The meeting was held to protest the deteriorating law and order situation, alleged political influence in fertiliser dealer appointments, and corruption and irregularities in government job recruitment.
Nahid alleged that people are still being denied their rights because of two political forces – the Awami League abroad and the BNP at home.
He claimed that the BNP had brought back corruption, extortion, violence and syndicates after coming to power.
He also alleged that the party had reached an understanding with the Awami League before the election and is now using Awami League activists involved in violence and extortion for its own purposes.
Accusing the government of failing to control commodity prices, the NCP convener said the price of an LPG cylinder had risen from Tk1,200 to Tk1,800.
Despite the price hike, cylinders remained unavailable in some markets, while prices had reached Tk2,600 in some places, he said.
Nahid alleged that the BNP is controlling the syndicates behind the situation. He also called for competitive local government elections, alleging that candidates had not been allowed to collect nomination papers in the Shariatpur Bar Association election.
He said such a situation would not be allowed in local government elections.
NCP convener urged patriotic citizens who took part in the July uprising, along with people interested in developing their local areas, to contest the elections.
Calling on the administration to remain neutral, he said those who had been involved in “night-time voting” should remember the consequences.
