‘Food prices may go up further’

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Wednesday expressed his fear that food prices may go up further.

“Commodity price has been increasing due to the conflict. Russian-Ukraine is a food bank. Anyone who thinks food price will not go up, he or she is living in a fool’s paradise,” the minister said at a programme at Tejgaon Women’s College.

The minister said the increase in fuel price compelled the government to go for load-shedding.

“Efforts are underway to resolve this issue. I think we will be back to normal situation by December this year,” he said.

Asaduzzaman said there is no alternative to Sheikh Hasina in Bangladesh, as the country has been progressing fast towards its desired goal.

“If people of this country vote for BNP in the next general election, they will come to power. The only way to come to the power is people’s mandate. People will not accept you (BNP) in the power through public sufferings,” he said.

The minister suggested the BNP to wait for another year to contest the polls.

Saying that the government has no objection in holding free and fair election, the minister said, “You (BNP) should not try to create sufferings for the people by holding rallies in Dhaka-Chattogram. If the country is destabilised in the name of rallies, people will not accept it.”

Asaduzzman said that Awami League never came to power through conspiracy or muscle power.

“Awami League came to power through people’s vote. Awami League thinks that people are its main strength,” he said adding that the country will move forward as long as Sheikh Hasina remains in power.