Bigger Protests Ahead Unless Home and Energy Ministers Resign: NCP’s Nahid

National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener and Opposition Chief Whip Md. Nahid Islam has warned that protests will grow larger unless the Home Minister and Energy Minister resign. He said, “Our leaders and activists have spent the past week visiting different parts of Dhaka and speaking to people. Prices of essential commodities are rising, there is no electricity or gas, and people’s lives have become miserable. The law and order situation is not satisfactory, and people in Bangladesh have no security.”

He made the remarks at a mass protest rally organised by the NCP’s Dhaka North and South units in front of the National Museum in Shahbagh on Thursday. The rally was organised around four demands, including the resignation of the Home Minister and Energy Minister over their failures. Nahid Islam said the two ministers must resign, taking responsibility for their failures.

“If they do not resign, our rallies will grow bigger. We will march to surround PM Tarique Rahman to press home our demands,” he said. He also demanded the cancellation of the committee formed to reform the Constitution and the establishment of a Constitutional Reform Council.

“We can see that PM Tarique Rahman has no plan for running the country. His plans are centred on corruption, extortion and land grabbing. We are witnessing the rise of a new form of authoritarianism within the BNP,” he added.

Mr. Nahid further said there were reports that the ousted authoritarian ruler would return to the country in December. He claimed that the BNP had failed to protect its own leaders and activists in the past and questioned how the party would protect the people.

He alleged that attempts were being made to destabilise Bangladesh through border killings, conspiracies involving Hindus and unrest in the hill districts. NCP Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain questioned the BNP government’s performance nine months after taking office.

He said, “Before the election, the BNP repeatedly said that everything would be fine once the election was held. Nine months have passed since the election. Has the situation in the country improved? The law and order situation has not improved.”

He also compared gas prices in Bangladesh and Kolkata, saying, “In Kolkata, gas costs Tk 1,000, while in Bangladesh it costs Tk 2,500. Why? Has Kolkata not been affected by the Iran war? The Energy Minister must answer this question.”

Mr. Akhtar said prices of essential commodities had continued to rise both before and after the budget. He also criticised the BNP government for failing to ensure justice for the Awami League’s alleged crimes after coming to power.

He demanded the resignation of the Home Minister and Energy Minister, accusing them of playing with people’s lives. NCP Senior Joint Convener Nasiruddin Patwary said a survey conducted by the party had found that prices of essential commodities in Bangladesh were 20 per cent higher than in neighbouring countries.

“The government has dealt a blow to people’s livelihoods. Now it is time to teach them a lesson,” he said. He also called for banning autorickshaws in Dhaka while introducing a public-friendly public transport system. He urged the government to create employment opportunities for young people.

Mr. Nasiruddin further said that NCP leaders had visited different neighbourhoods of the capital and found that many households were facing gas shortages and struggling to cook. He also alleged that LPG cylinders, whose government-fixed price was Tk 1,837, were being sold for Tk 3,500. Several other central leaders of the NCP also addressed the rally.