Prefer alternative approach over unpopular decisions: BNP’s Nazrul to govt

BNP senior leader Nazrul Islam Khan on Sunday cautioned the government that it should refrain from taking decisions, such as imposing Value Added Tax (VAT) and supplementary duties on more than a hundred products and services that could make it unpopular.

“We saw in newspapers that the government has decided to impose VAT in a special context. We would like to say that this decision will cause public suffering, and the government cannot remain popular by taking such a decision,” he said.

The BNP leader made the remarks while speaking to reporters after a meeting with the Labour Party, one of the partners in the party’s simultaneous movement, on the country’s latest political situation at the BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office.

He said their party wants to see the interim government remain popular. “We believe the government should take an alternative approach that does not increase public suffering, but helps generate the revenue needed to run the state.”

Nazrul, a BNP Standing Committee member, said they think if the interim government becomes unpopular, the e fallen fascists would be pleased. “But those of us who were in the movement won’t be happy. So, we expect the government will not take any decision that distances it from the people.”

When asked about the "illegal" construction of fences along the border by India, he said their party does not want relations with Bangladesh’s nearest neighbour to deteriorate. “But we’re never willing to accept that they will take actions that do not recognise the interests and dignity of our nation,” he said.

The BNP leader said India can set up barbed-wire fences for its own security, but it is not acceptable that Felani’s dead body was found hanging on that barbed-wire fence.

He also said there should be discussions between the two neighbouring countries before taking any important steps along the border. “A positive and acceptable step should be taken through dialogue.”