“The Prime Minister at her press conference yesterday (Monday) said people should accept the gas-price hike for development. We also know a price has to be paid for the development of common people. But now money is being taken from people’s pockets for the benefits of only some ruling party men,” he said.
Fakhrul came up with the remarks while inaugurating the council of Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB) at the city’s Ladies Club.
On Monday, the Prime Minister said people should accept the gas price hike for the sake of the country’s development as the government had to import LNG at a higher cost.
Fakhrul said the gas tariff is mainly increased to give subsidy for the import of LNG. “Those who’re closely involved with the government like ministers, advisers or their favourite ones are importing LNG, and people have to pay additional prices for that.”
He said the government is arbitrarily increasing the gas price, income tax and VAT as it has no accountability to people. “They (govt) have taken a position against people as neither they nor parliament were elected with people’s votes. They usurped power using the state machinery. “
The BNP leader said the government’s only target is to hang onto to power and establish an individual’s rule by destroying all the state institutions and organs.
He also alleged that the judiciary now has to deliver verdicts at the ‘behest of the Law Ministry’ as it has no independence.
Claiming that their chairperson Khaleda was convicted in ‘false’ cases, Fakhrul said she is not given bail though she deserves it. “Thirty-six cases were filed against her on different false charges, including hurling bomb at a police station.”
He said the government used to talk about development, though educated youths are not getting jobs. “But people from India are coming here for jobs and taking away about $10 billion…it’s become a puppet government.”
Fakhrul said a strong unity of people and political parties is now crucial to overcome the current situation and defeat those who want to destroy democracy and the country’s independence and sovereignty.
Meanwhile, Dr Harun-Al Rashid and Dr Abdus Salam were elected new president and secretary general of DAB, a pro-BNP doctors’ platform.