BNP failing on key promises: NCP

The BNP government has failed to deliver on its reform commitments and address major economic and governance challenges during its first six months in office, National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener and Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam alleged on Monday, pointing to gas and fertiliser shortages, rising commodity prices and deteriorating law and order as key sources of public distress.

Speaking at an emergency press conference at the NCP’s temporary central office in Banglamotor around noon on Monday, Nahid said the government had failed in 29 areas, including energy, commodity prices and law and order, and had made little meaningful progress towards establishing good governance and restoring the rule of law.

The NCP’s Policy and Research Sub-committee presented an assessment of the government’s first 180 days at the briefing and unveiled a booklet titled “From the Promise of Change to a Return to Old Politics.”

Nahid said the government’s first cabinet meeting on February 17 had identified controlling commodity prices, improving law and order, and ensuring electricity and energy supplies as its three immediate priorities.

“In all three areas, they have failed badly,” he said.

He alleged that essential commodity prices had continued to rise while market syndicates remained active, adding that poor planning and a lack of transparency had contributed to fuel and gas shortages affecting households and industries.

According to Nahid, the country was facing a 43 per cent shortfall in gas supplies, disrupting factory production, shipments and employment.

He also alleged that electricity prices had been increased within three months of the government taking office despite its pledge not to raise them for two years.

The NCP leader said farmers were also bearing the brunt of weaknesses in market monitoring and the alleged influence of politically backed syndicates.

Farmers in several districts, he claimed, had been forced to pay an additional Tk 350 to Tk 450 per sack of fertiliser, increasing production costs.

Reform agenda under question
Nahid said six months was too short for a comprehensive assessment of any government, but argued that the administration’s lack of planning and failures across key sectors warranted an apology to the people.

“The government has failed to properly fulfil any of the promises it made to the people during its 180 days in power,” he said.

He accused the government of abandoning its reform agenda in favour of what he described as “old-style politics”, while politicising state institutions and weakening mechanisms of accountability.

Nahid also alleged that political violence, extortion and attacks on opposition activists had increased, while the government had failed to establish the rule of law.

He raised concerns over the removal of important artefacts from the July Mass Uprising Memorial Museum, saying the incident raised questions about the government’s commitment to preserving the history and legacy of the movement.

Criticising the government’s decision to rebrand the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Nahid said the long-standing demand had been for the force to be dissolved rather than reorganised under another name.

He alleged that the move was intended to “avoid sanctions” rather than address fundamental concerns over accountability and human rights.

Foreign policy and banking
Nahid cited the government’s failure to bring back former Inspector General of Police Benazir Ahmed from the United Arab Emirates as evidence of what he described as weak foreign policy and diplomatic shortcomings.

He also raised the issue of India’s role in Bangladesh’s political affairs, alleging that deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s press conference in Delhi on August 5 was held with the “cooperation” of the Indian government.

He said the government’s handling of the issue should be viewed in the broader context of its ability to safeguard Bangladesh’s national interests.

The NCP leader also criticised the government’s handling of the banking sector and accused it of reversing its position on mega projects despite earlier commitments to prioritise health and education.

Opposition movement
Nahid warned that the NCP and its allies would intensify their political movement if the government failed to address the issues raised by the opposition.

He said the alliance planned to organise long marches in five to six divisions, followed by a grand rally in Dhaka, signalling a possible escalation of opposition activities against the government.

The NCP’s assessment comes as opposition scrutiny of the BNP government’s first 180 days increasingly focuses on whether it has delivered on its reform commitments and addressed the immediate economic and governance concerns facing the country.