An incompetent person has been made power minister: Jamaat Ameer

Jamaat e Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition in the National Parliament Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has criticized the Power Minister harshly. He said the government denies the severe power and energy crisis in the country. He said this denial misleads the public.

He said an incompetent person holds the power and energy portfolio. He made these remarks while addressing his sharp criticism of the minister’s recent comments.

The Jamaat Ameer expressed this anger at a street rally on Saturday afternoon. The rally took place at Matidali Biman Mor in Bogura. It formed part of the Dhaka to Rangpur long march organized under the banner of an 11 party alliance.

He began his speech by pointing to the country’s power crisis. He also criticized the inconsistent remarks made by ministers. He said Sirajganj lies next to Bogura district. He noted that the Power Minister’s home district is Sirajganj.

He said the minister claims the country has no load shedding and no power shortage. He said the minister claims rural power lines are simply too long, causing supply problems. He called this claim shameful. He said an incompetent person has been placed in charge of such an important ministry.

Dr. Rahman pointed to the government’s failure to fulfill promises after the July uprising. He said seven months have passed and three parliament sessions have ended. He asked why the government has not implemented the July charter, despite forming on the blood of July’s martyrs.

He said the government promised to curb corruption and provide jobs to one crore youths. He said instead one crore people now hold the keys to extortion. He said corruption rates have multiplied several times over.

He recalled that the current President once made similar demands when he led the BNP. He said opposition parties now raise those same demands. He said the previous opposition’s slogan was to demand gas and electricity. He said today’s opposition raises the same call. He said the government’s failure to deliver forced them into this long march.

He highlighted the hardship facing farmers. He said farmers cannot get fertilizer on time. He said fertilizer that once cost 1400 taka now costs 2200 taka. He said people face power shortages alongside doubled and tripled electricity bills.

The Opposition Leader thanked the historic gathering in Bogura. He said they only wanted rights for 18 crore people. He said the crowd turned Bogura into a sea of people. He said the ruling party now loses sleep over this long march. He said officials keep asking why the opposition marched so early. He said his side asks in return why the government insulted the public before even taking power.

He added that 70 percent of people voted yes in the referendum. He said both sides had sought that vote. He said his side stands firm on its position. He asked why the government changed its position instead. He said this long march would not have been necessary without the government’s betrayal of public trust.

He shared an experience from his journey through Sirajganj. He said people showed him one finger along the road. He said he did not understand at first. He said people shouted through the car window calling for one demand. He said the entire country now stands ready for that one demand.