Staff Reporter :
The main opposition party-BNP on Saturday said that the newly proposed budget is nothing but fresh arrangements of looting the nation’s wealth.
“Just by looking at the budget, you can understand that arrangements have been made for another feast of big fishes,” BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said while addressing a discussion in the National Press Club in the capital.
Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD-Rob) arranged the program marking the first death anniversary of Serajul Alam Khan, one of the key organizers of the Liberation War.
Referring to the views of economic analysts, Mirza Fakhrul said the new budget will do nothing but harm the country.
The BNP leader said the growing inflation is the biggest crisis for the common people as the skyrocketing prices of commodities have made their lives unbearable.
Finance Minister AH Mahmood Ali on Thursday placed the proposed national budget for fiscal year 2024-25 in parliament, keeping a provision of legalizing undisclosed money by giving a 15 percent tax.
Supporting the budgetary provision for legalizing black money, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday said black money should be brought into the legal channel first.
Mirza Fakhrul said the PM’s remark on using bait for catching fish is ridiculous.
“How long will you be able to deceive people by creating a smoke screen with such statements?” the BNP leader questioned.
Mirza Fakhrul paid homage to Serajul Alam Khan on behalf of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman.
The BNP leader has cricised the Awami League government for not issuing a condolence message after the death of Serajul Alam Khan. “Think about how ungrateful a party can be when it didn’t offer any condolence after the death of such a key leader. For the same reason, they cannot tolerate Ziaur Rahman.”
He said Bangladesh has fallen into a severe crisis, putting its existence at stake. “The government which seized power has destroyed all institutions of the country.”
Mirza Fakhrul said the government is exploiting and oppressing the people of Bangladesh and constantly ruining the future of the country. “We all want to get rid of this dreadful situation in Bangladesh.”
The BNP leader called upon all political parties and people of all walks of life to get united putting aside all misunderstandings and decisions to restore democracy in the country.