The government had no better alternative than raising fuel prices despite knowing the decision would increase the suffering of ordinary people, said Zahed Ur Rahman, adviser to the prime minister on information and broadcasting, today.
Zahed said he would not deny that it would increase the suffering of ordinary people to some extent.
He noted that local government elections were approaching and said no government would deliberately take such an unpopular decision at such a time.
“I hope the people will realise why their elected government took this decision at this moment,” he said while responding to questions from journalists at a weekly briefing on the progress of various government activities at the Secretariat.
The adviser also said the fuel price hike was not imposed as a condition of the International Monetary Fund.
On the country's political situation, Zahed said the government sees no political crisis and that politics should be conducted on the understanding that a democratically elected government will remain in office for five years.
He said incidents such as crude bomb explosions and buses being set on fire in Dhaka could not create a political crisis.
Regarding the opposition's movement, the adviser said, “Those who are in the opposition now are holding long marches. Let them do so; they are even giving one-point demands to the government.”
He also referred to political movements in India while discussing the opposition's demands.
“The Cockroach Janta Party waged such a big movement, or before that there was the farmers' movement against Modi (Indian prime minister), meaning Delhi was brought to a standstill, but the resignation of the government was not demanded. It is better to build pressure where the failure lies,” he said.
Asked whether an agreement to purchase Boeing aircraft would be signed during the prime minister's upcoming visit to the United States, Zahed said he did not have detailed information on the matter.
“I do not have detailed information on whether an agreement to purchase Boeing will be signed during the prime minister's US visit. However, the decision to buy Boeing was taken earlier, so an agreement may take place,” he said.
Sun News/ rabbi
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