Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has alleged that the Opposition is rejecting the proposed budget for FY2026‑27 not to safeguard public interests but to create instability and mislead citizens.
He said, “I saw in the newspapers, Alhamdulillah, that so far no commodity prices have increased following the budget, unlike in the past.”
The prime minister was addressing a gathering after inaugurating the re‑excavation of the historic Patali Canal in Pmkhali union under Cox’s Bazar Sadar upazila on Saturday.
Tarique also said that taxes on around 60 essential items including rice, lentils, edible oil and salt have been withdrawn in the budget announced two days earlier to ensure daily necessities remain affordable.
“The objective is simple — to ensure that people can live well,” he said.
Criticising the Opposition’s stance, he questioned its rejection of measures aimed at easing consumer burdens. “The Opposition says it does not accept this budget and calls it anti‑people. I want to ask you — they do not accept a budget that reduces taxes, they dislike a budget that raises the prices of alcohol and cigarettes. Then have you understood what their real intention is?”
“Their objective is not to stand beside the people. Their only goal is to create instability and unrest in the country and mislead citizens,” he added.
Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury presented the proposed budget in the parliament on Thursday. Highlighting its focus on production and employment, Tarique said Bangladesh must strengthen industry and commerce alongside agriculture.
“Bangladesh is an agriculture‑based country. But at the same time, we must build industries and expand trade. If industries and businesses grow, employment opportunities will be created for our young people,” he said.
The PM added that taxes on imported goods competing with locally manufactured products have been raised to protect domestic industries. “We have included such measures in this budget. Yet even this is not acceptable to the Opposition,” he said.
Tarique stressed that the people, not any political party or family, are the true owners of the country. “No party or family owns the nation, its 200 million people do,” he said.
Before his speech, he formally launched the canal re‑excavation by digging soil with a spade and planting a sapling on the canal bank.
He pledged BNP’s continued work for national welfare, saying, “The people are the source of all power for BNP. Public support is our greatest strength. As long as we live, we will continue to work for this country and its people.”
He also urged, “If we can build this country, we and our children will live better lives. That is why we say: let us work, build the country, and put Bangladesh first.”
Tarique said BNP believes in politics for public welfare and has begun implementing election pledges to improve lives. Initiatives such as Family Card and Farmers’ Card programmes are underway to support low‑income families and farmers.
“We are standing beside farmers. We are standing beside ordinary people. Every commitment we made before the election is being implemented step by step,” he said.
He added that the government aims to build a self‑reliant rural economy through expanded irrigation, agricultural support and employment programmes.
Highlighting the canal restoration project, he said re‑excavating canals nationwide would boost agricultural production, improve water management and benefit rural communities.
The gathering was presided over by Cox’s Bazar Sadar Upazila BNP President Abdul Mabud. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie, State Minister Farhad Hossain Azad, Cox’s Bazar‑3 lawmaker Lutfur Rahman Kajal and local BNP leader Harunur Rashid also addressed the programme.
