Price hike of essentials played key role

Price hike of essentials during the reign of the BNP-Jamaat alliance government played a key role in their defeat in the 9th parliamentary elections.
People from middle and lower income groups were frustrated by the skyrocketing price, city dwellers told this correspondent.
Uttam, who works at a restaurant, said that he had to buy rice at Tk 35 per kilogram during the tenure of the BNP-Jamaat alliance government, whereas it was Tk 12 when Awami League was in power.
“When I heard that AL will reduce price hike of essentials if they are voted to power, I decided to cast my vote for AL,” he added.
Amjad, a rickshaw puller, said the lawmaker who was elected in 2001 from BNP in his area had pledged to reduce price hike of essentials in an election rally but they were only empty promises.
“We are leading an inhuman life for the soaring price of essentials. My family members voted AL hoping that they will reduce the prices,” he added.
Jamil, a small trader in the city's Boalia area, alleged that former BNP lawmakers were always busy with the personal gains of their political leaders and activists ignoring the demand of local people.
He thinks that price hike of essentials and unbridled corruption were the main reasons behind the defeat of BNP in Rajshahi and across the country.
Motiur Rahman Moti, a low earning service man in the city's Sultanabad area, also echoed the same.
They, however, hoped that Al won't follow the footprints of their predecessors. Rather, they would take necessary steps to check price hike of essentials and root out corruption from the society.