Rizvi questions possible plot to disrupt government development efforts

BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has questioned whether any conspiracy is underway to obstruct the government’s development and public welfare programmes.

Speaking at a discussion titled “The Ongoing Crisis in the Country and What Patriotic Forces Should Do” at the National Press Club in Dhaka on Saturday (September 12), Rizvi said repeated technical failures at power plants had raised questions about whether the incidents were accidental or acts of sabotage.

He also questioned whether an artificial crisis was being created amid the country’s ongoing gas and fuel shortages. Rizvi attributed part of the energy crisis to disruptions in shipping through the Strait of Hormuz due to the Middle East conflict, while also pointing to technical problems at the Maheshkhali regasification facilities. He said the government was working to address the situation and expressed hope that supplies would return to normal soon.

Rizvi expressed concern over the killing of four members of a Hindu family in Rangpur, saying the government was acting quickly to address the incident.

Highlighting government welfare initiatives, including the Family Card programme, he said measures were being taken to strengthen social protection. He also said the government had revived canal-digging initiatives to address environmental risks in the country’s northwest linked to the Farakka Barrage, with a target of excavating 20,000 kilometres of canals over five years. About 1,000 kilometres, he claimed, had already been excavated in six months.

Rizvi said opposition parties had the right to criticise the government both inside and outside parliament, but such criticism should remain responsible. He also stressed the importance of freedom of expression while saying that such freedom had limits.

The meeting was organised by the 12-party alliance and chaired by Jatiya Party (Zafar) Chairman Mostafa Jamal Haider. Leaders of several alliance partners also addressed the event.