Opposition 'living in fool's paradise' with one-point warning: Rizvi

BNP Acting Secretary General and Prime Minister's Political Adviser Ruhul Kabir Rizvi today (21 September) said the BNP will not sit idle if the opposition issues a "one-point warning", saying those making such statements are "living in a fool's paradise".

"They are saying these things as if they are living in a fool's paradise. A mass-based party has been elected through a free and fair election and you think it will happen simply because you say so? Will we sit back with our hands folded? No, we will not," he said while briefing reporters after a joint meeting with leaders of BNP's affiliated, associate and professional organisations.

Rizvi said the BNP will continue its political activities through democratic programmes involving people.

"The people are the main judges. No planned or conspiratorial programme can stop the course of a party that enjoys public support," he said.

Asked about the opposition's long march despite 34 MPs travelling abroad and its renewed talk of a one-point movement, Rizvi said such statements were intended to create confusion.

He said those making such statements are themselves engaging in a conspiracy and said their activities have no connection with  people and would not receive public support.

Rizvi said the government and the BNP are currently focusing on issues including social protection, development and progress while the party's election manifesto includes a pledge to plant 25 crore trees.

He said that efforts are being made to divert public attention from govt's public-interest measures and destabilise the country.

"There may be the fallen autocrat there, and various indications suggest that perhaps new accomplices are also joining hands with them in some underground secret chamber," he said.

Rizvi said people, BNP activists and leaders, nationalist forces and conscious citizens are alert to the situation.

"They want to talk about various issues today. But what is the solution? We have repeatedly asked them: how will you solve the problems?" he said, referring to the fuel, gas and electricity crises.

He said the government has increased fuel prices by Tk 20, while the loss had previously been around Tk 22,875 crore, with monthly losses amounting to around Tk 3,813 crore during that period.

Rizvi said Bangladesh consumes around 7 million metric tonnes of fuel annually, including approximately 4.5 million tonnes of diesel.

He said diesel had been priced at Tk 115 per litre in Bangladesh until recently, compared with around Tk 134 in India, raising concerns about fuel smuggling.

He said Bangladesh has to purchase diesel at around Tk 250 per litre, resulting in a substantial loss for the government.

"When the price was Tk 115, we had to bear a loss of around Tk 90 per litre. Even after the Tk 20 price adjustment, we still have to bear a loss of around Tk 70 per litre," he said.

He said the loss effectively has to be covered through subsidies.

Rizvi said fuel prices in Bangladesh remained relatively low compared to many other countries.

 "The language they used against the government, including against the top BNP leader, cannot be the language of civilised people in a democratic society," he said.

Asked about Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's visit to the United States to attend the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, Rizvi said the prime minister is travelling with a 35-member delegation, which he described as the smallest delegation in the country's history for such a visit.

"Many are there, including journalists and political leaders. There are 30 to 35 people. This itself proves that the BNP government and its head want to sustain and further strengthen the country's economy through austerity," he said.

Rizvi said the delegation size was another example and proof of the government's commitment to austerity.

He alleged that during the previous government, when its head travelled to the United States or other countries, receptions were arranged at a cost of crores of taka.

"This time, Tarique Rahman has prohibited any such reception," he said.

Rizvi alleged that such receptions were arranged by embassies or high commissions using public money, although it was sometimes claimed that party leaders and activists abroad had financed them.