Staff Correspondent

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Friday urged the interim government to take pragmatic steps as a priority to control the rising prices of essentials to ease the financial strain on the people.

Addressing a discussion programme virtually, he also urged the government to prioritise the elimination of the market syndicate that was established during the previous regime.

“People from all walks of life, particularly those in low- and middle-income groups, farmers, workers and small businesses, are enduring significant hardships due to the unusual price hikes in essential items,” the BNP leader said.

He said that mere sweet words are not enough while people remain half-fed.

“I call upon the interim government to take pragmatic and stern steps immediately as a priority to control the commodity prices and provide relief to the public,” Tarique said.

He lamented that commodity prices have surpassed the purchasing capacity of the ordinary people, as their incomes have not increased.

“While it may be challenging to dismantle the business syndicate established during the previous regime, it is not impossible with genuine will and appropriate interventions,” the BNP leader said.

He also said that the size of the Advisory Council could be increased, if necessary, for the smooth functioning of the government in establishing control over the market.

The Ziaur Rahman Foundation organised the programme at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh, to mark its silver jubilee.

Tarique warned that the associates of the deposed despotic regime are still conspiring to create hurdles for the government and undermine its success. “No initiative will be successful while keeping the followers and beneficiaries of the mafia regime in important positions.”

He also cautioned that the beneficiaries of the fallen autocratic government will try to take advantage of the situation if the government fails to ease public suffering.

“The beneficiaries of the mafia regime have started raising their heads in the administration and also both at home and abroad. They want to make the government fail. If the poisonous teeth of conspiracy are not uprooted, the achievements of the students' revolution will be at stake,” the BNP leader said.

Tarique seeks pragmatic steps from govt for market control

Tarique said the state should function according to the expectations of the country’s people. “The mafia gangs have carried out genocide in Bangladesh. However, people have regained their freedom of speech. Those who were deprived during the mafia regime want to reclaim their lost rights. The bloodstains of the martyrs are not yet erased. The interim government must prioritise these activities.”

The BNP leader also noted that the government's disarray and inconsistency have become evident, and it has failed to establish a clear priority agenda for its activities.

He said the conflicting statements from various government advisers regarding the next election have caused confusion among the public.

“The inconsistency in government statements on such an important and pressing issue has created doubts and confusion in the public mind. People want to see the interim government play a more responsible, pro-people and effective role,” Tarique said.

He also said there is no alternative to holding a free and fair election and establishing a government through the people’s direct votes. “Pro-democratic people have been providing the government with unconditional support to this end. It is now the main responsibility of the interim government to value the unconditional support of people.”

The BNP leader said the government has taken steps for various reforms to give the state and politics a solid foundation. “Reforms are very necessary and important, and I am always in favour of them. However, reform is a continuous and ongoing process, and it can sometimes be time-consuming. The desired success cannot be achieved without ensuring the direct involvement of the people in any reform initiative.”

Tarique Rahman also said that Awami League leaders and activists captured lands, shops and business establishments across the country during its dictatorship.

He said that the interim government should take priority steps to recover these, as some unwarranted incidents occurred during the recovery efforts.

Ziaur Rahman Foundation Chief Adviser of overseas committee Dr Zubaida Rahman also addressed the programme virtually, extending her greetings to the members on the occasion of its silver jubilee.

She wished the foundation continued success and urged its members to work towards the betterment of humanity.

“I hope the Ziaur Rahman Foundation will set a benchmark for serving humanity,” said Zubaida, who is also the wife of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman.