The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has strongly condemned the government’s recent decision to increase the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders, calling it “illogical and anti-people.“
During a press briefing after paying tribute to party founder Ziaur Rahman, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi stated that the government’s lack of accountability led to the price hike. He said this decision would negatively affect low-income individuals, such as rickshaw pullers, CNG drivers, and small shopkeepers.
Rizvi argued that the rise in LPG cylinder prices, primarily used for household needs, would place significant strain on the economy, especially for the poor. He added that the price hike was “completely unjustified” and suggested it would not have occurred under an elected government.
The BNP leader emphasized that while his party and other democratic groups have supported the interim government, any further undemocratic actions that harm the poor and low-income groups would be unacceptable. He expressed concern that the prices of essential items, including rice, had already surpassed what many could afford. Raising gas prices, he said, would only exacerbate the struggles of the people.
On Sunday, the government raised the price of a 12kg LPG cylinder by Tk 19, setting the new retail price at Tk 1,478.
