BNP on Tuesday voiced concern that the ongoing economic crisis and growing inflation have turned into a national crisis, leaving common people in the lurch. Speaking at a press conference at the BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office, party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir also said the nation will not get rid of the ongoing economic crisis unless the ‘corrupt and incompetent’ Awami League government is removed from power. “The people of the country are living a miserable life due to increasing price inflation of daily necessities, including, electricity, fuel, transportation, and food. Almost all macroeconomic indicators are becoming weaker and acute,” he said. In present-day Bangladesh, the BNP leader said there is only screaming all around for want of food and money. “The entire country has become a kingdom of scarcity. People are facing a suffocating situation, due to the high prices of everyday goods. Thus, the country's economy has plunged into a great crisis." Also Read: Seeking grassroots support, BNP to march at thana-level of cities March 4 He said the government has shown the inflation rate was 9.52 percent in August last but  the non-food inflation is hovering around double digits. “In January, this rate was 9.8 percent.” Fakhrul said the prices of all goods in the market are gradually going up. “The prices of rice, lentils and eggs are skyrocketing while the per kg of broiler chicken is now over Tk 200. But the government's Bureau of Statistics (BBS) shows general price inflation at 8.57 percent and food inflation at 7.76 percent. The economists are expressing doubt about the data.” He alleged that an economic anarchy has been created in the country because of repeated increase in electricity and gas prices, dwindling reserves, unprecedented dollar crisis and devaluation of money against the dollar, mismanagement in banking and financial sector, wrong policies, rampant corruption, siphoning off money abroad, increase in loan defaults, economic income inequality, lack of good governance and lack of democracy. Coming out of its usual denial syndrome, the  government was forced to admit the persisting economic crisis in the country in its letter sent to the IMF,  the BNP Secretary General said. “The government is taking loans from the IMF on tough conditions to deal with the situation. In other words, they are now relying on borrowing from banks and IMF loans.” He said the government does not want to acknowledge the country's economic crisis as it has  no accountability. “They’re not elected by the people and public votes.” The BNP leader said the government is always running a false campaign through the media by spreading fear among journalists and establishing its control on the press. “This propaganda is essential for those who are fascists and dictators to give people a false impression.” Replying to a question, he said the current government must quit power to overcome the current economic crisis. “When this regime will go, the competent people can work and take effective steps to resolve the problems.”  

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday described the attack on Liberal Democratic Party leader Dr Redwan Ahmed by the ‘ruling party cadres’ in Chandina upazila of Cumilla as premeditated. In a statement, he also alleged that there was instigation from the highest level of the government behind the attack. “This heinous attack has proved once again that the country is now under a fascist and authoritarian rule. I strongly condemn and protest this cowardly attack,” the BNP leader said. He demanded the government immediately arrest the perpetrators and mete out exemplary punishment to them. Fakhrul voiced concern as Redwan, secretary general of one of the BNP-led 20-party alliance’s key partners in the LDP, was arrested when he took shelter at a local police station in self-defence following an attack on his vehicle as it arrived at a meeting. The BNP secretary general said although the government made various statements seeking the participation of all parties in the next parliamentary election, the attacks on opposition parties’ meetings and rallies targeting their leaders by the ruling party ‘cadres’ have exposed its self-contradiction. "It has become clear through the attack that this regime is dependent on terrorism.” Fakhrul alleged that the ruling party ‘cadres’ have turned the entire country into a bloodied state by destroying democracy and taking the law into their own hands. “The government has become more reckless and desperate to protect its own existence. Such an attack has indicated how awful Awami fascism will be in the days to come,” the BNP leader observed. READ: BNP won’t even join talks on polls until AL quits power: Fakhrul Earlier in the day, two people were shot by Redwan during a clash between activists of the ruling party student front Bangladesh Chhatra League and the LDP at Redwan Ahmed College premises in Chandina upazila of Cumilla. After the clash, Dr Redwan, a former MP, was held on accusation of firing shots from his gun. Police and witnesses said the leaders and activists of the LDP and BCL arrived at the college campus on Monday noon to hold their separate meetings. Amid the tension, some BCL activists allegedly chased the personal vehicle of Dr Redwan Ahmed when he reached the spot. In order to fend them off, he fired at them from his gun through the window of his vehicle.

Accusing the government of snatching freedom of expression, BNP senior leader Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain on Sunday said it will not be able to stay in power for a long time depending on the police. 

Dhaka, Nov 13 (UNB) - BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday alleged that the incidents of torching vehicles in the capital is an act of “sabotage by government agents”.