New budget designed to continue economic corruption, looting by govt: BNP

The latest budget proposal is just an annual manifesto to continue the economic corruption of the current fascist, looter government, the BNP has said in its reaction.

The budget was ambitious, and it was designed to loot billions of dollars, said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir in a press conference at the party chairperson's office in Gulshan, Dhaka on Wednesday.

He said the ongoing economic crisis, rising income disparity, dwindling foreign exchange reserves, rampant money laundering, and the debt burden on people have not been addressed in the budget at all.

The budget proposal did not offer solutions to the current problems, while it completely avoided the concepts of good governance and justice, he continued.

Macroeconomic projections, including the ones about GDP growth, inflation, and investment, in the budget are not achievable. Besides, there is no clear explanation in the budget regarding the way to achieving the 7.5% GDP growth, said the BNP secretary general,

The government announced a 7.5% GDP growth target for FY23 with great fanfare, but later they revised it to 6.3% in the amended budget. Economists have said the 7.5% GDP growth target will not be achieved in FY24 too, because the economy is already under pressure, Mirza Fakhrul added.
 
BNP to respond if it gets written proposal for dialogue

BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury has said his party will consider responding if they receive a written proposal regarding a dialogue concerning the government to be formed during the upcoming national polls.

However, the BNP is not taking into account the statements made by Awami League leaders and ministers over the issue, he said at Wednesday's press briefing.

The Awami League can hold a dialogue with the BNP if the United Nations mediates, said Amir Hossain Amu, a member of the Awami League Advisory Council, in a meeting of the 14-party alliance led by the ruling party on 6 June.

Asked about Amu's statement, Khasru said the BNP is focused on transforming the country's existing political landscape.

He said, "It is not important for me to respond to something someone said at some event. If someone presents a written proposal [for a dialogue on the national election] to us, we will consider responding to it."

On Wednesday, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal also acknowledged the significance of dialogue and negotiation, saying, "Everything can be resolved through dialogue. There is no alternative to negotiation."

However, following Amu's statement, Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said there is no political crisis in Bangladesh that requires an UN mediation.
 
BNP's youth rally programmes rescheduled

The BNP has rescheduled the dates of its affiliated organisations' youth rallies.

Top leaders of Chhatra Dal, Jubo Dal and Sechchhasebak Dal announced the change in the programme at a press conference at the BNP chairperson's office in Gulshan yesterday.

Jubo Dal President Sultan Salahuddin Tuku said, "The youth could not vote for a long time. The rally programmes were announced in different areas of six divisions, including Dhaka and Bogura districts, on 2 June to establish their right to vote. Two days later, on 4 June, the Jubo League called for a programme at the same place at the same time.

The rescheduled date and venue for the programmes are – 14 June in Chattogram, 19 June in Bogura, 24 June in Barishal, 9 July in Sylhet, 17 July in Khulna, and 22 July in Dhaka.