Staff Correspondent

The Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) on Tuesday termed the proposal to double the gas price for the fertilizer industry a “conspiracy to destroy the country’s agricultural economy” and urged the government to immediately back away from what it called an “anti-people move.”

In a statement, CPB President Sajjad Zahir Chandan and General Secretary Abdullah Kafi Ratan alleged that instead of resolving the gas crisis, the interim government was moving to double prices while failing to ensure adequate gas supply to industries.

They claimed that an artificial fertilizer crisis had already been created to push the country’s agriculture towards import dependence.

The CPB leaders warned that the proposed gas price hike would have a devastating impact on the entire agricultural economy, adding that any conspiracy to undermine Bangladesh’s potential for self-sufficiency in agriculture would be resisted.

They also accused the interim government of “repeatedly abusing its power beyond its mandate,” citing its recent approval of two new television channels even before the Media Reform Commission’s recommendations had been finalized.

According to CPB, the licenses were granted in line with “the path of past authoritarian regimes” and allegedly benefited leaders of newly formed political parties backed by state power.

The party further criticized the Election Commission for what it called a lack of neutrality in granting registration to new political parties, alleging that at least one newly registered party was virtually unknown to the public.

Describing these actions as ominous signs for the country, the CPB leaders called on the people to remain vigilant and united against what they termed the government’s “anti-people policies and abuse of power.”