TDS Desk:

Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan, spokesperson for the National Citizen Party (NCP), stated that, getting electricity and gas is a fundamental right that citizens pay for out of their own pockets, rather than receiving as government charity.

Addressing a road rally on Saturday (March 5) afternoon at Paduar Bazar in Cumilla, the former adviser criticized the surging utility bills alongside widespread power outages, pointing out that bills previously around Tk 1,200 have spiked to Tk 4,000 without any account of where the money goes. He added that the electricity minister, unable to handle the ongoing power crisis, has ended up in the ICU.

The rally was held as part of a long march organized by an 11-party alliance. Speaking as a special guest, Asif Mahmud reflected on the country’s current economic and infrastructural challenges, asserting that Bangladesh is passing through a critical period.

“Those who told us everything would be fine after the election—those who claimed the people of this country do not care about reforms and only want three meals a day—have now been in power for six months,” Asif Mahmud said.

“Today, people have received no reforms, nor do they have the means to eat three meals a day. There is no electricity at home, utility bills are inflated, gas stoves carry no flame, and the poor have no work as lakhs of people lose their employment.”

He further accused the governing administration of failing to fulfill its pre-election commitments and the mandate of the referendum, alleging that they came to power through engineered elections while ignoring the public’s expectations.

Reaffirming the alliance’s stance, Asif Mahmud told the gathering that the 11-party alliance and the NCP would continue to advocate for public rights regardless of threats or legal intimidation.

Recalling the political history of the region, he highlighted July 11, 2024, when students of Cumilla University built early resistance by blocking the highway, leading to subsequent political shifts.

Chaired by Kazi Deen Mohammad, Amir of Cumilla City Jamaat-e-Islami, the rally featured Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, Amir of Jamaat-e-Islami, as the chief guest. Other key leaders present as special guests included Dr. Syed Abdullah Md. Taher, Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Nayeb-e-Amir of Jamaat-e-Islami; Nahid Islam, Chief Whip of the Opposition and Convener of the NCP; Colonel (Retd.) Oli Ahmad, President of the LDP; and Maulana Mamunul Haq, Amir of Khelafat Majlish.