BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Wednesday said the people of the country are looking at the interim government with a suspicion due to its delay in announcing a specific timeframe of the national election.

Speaking at a programme in the capital’s Demra area, he urged the government to rein in the rising prices of daily essentials by taking action against the Awami business syndicate that controls the market.

“I would like to tell Dr Muhammad Yunus that you should carry out the reforms. But why do you hesitate so much to declare the election date? Democracy means that no matter what happens, you must clearly inform people as they have doubts about these matters,” Rizvi said.

He said the government has formed various commissions for state reforms, but it did not specify the deadline for submitting reports or how many days it will take to hold a free and fair election.

The BNP leader said people have been waiting for a credible election for 15 years to choose their representatives and parties to form the government. “Having clarity and a roadmap are two essential conditions of democracy. You are hesitating regarding the timeframe, and people are viewing this with some suspicion.”

‘Amra BNP Paribar’ arranged the programme at Demar’s Konapara to express sympathy to the family members of seven people who were killed by police firing during the recent student-led mass movement.

Rizvi said Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus is a revered person who has brought international honour for Bangladesh. “But he must first consider what can ease public life and where people find comfort. To ensure that low-income people can eat properly, you must prioritise market control.”

“You (govt) have reduced tariffs on many items, but there has been no effect in the market. The prices of sugar, rice, edible oil and onions have not declined due to the market syndicate. Arrest these Awami syndicate members and bring them under the law to control the market,” he said.

Otherwise, the BNP leader said, it would be a betrayal of the spirit of democracy, the spirit of the movement, and the blood of those who sacrificed their lives.

He noted that Sheikh Hasina had used every possible method to secure her power but had failed in the face of a student-led mass movement.

“She had not brought real criminals to justice; instead, she imprisoned those who opposed her. When this failed to prolong her power, she resorted to killings, enforced disappearances and extrajudicial executions, which were particularly evident in July and August,” Rizvi observed.