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Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain
Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain, Spokesperson of the National Citizen Party (NCP), has strongly criticized the incumbent administration, stating that despite prolonged electoral promises that all crises would be resolved post-election, no visible state reforms have materialized even months after assuming power.
The NCP leader made these remarks on Friday afternoon (August 14) during a mass public rally held in the capital's Jatrabari. The demonstration was organized to press for the implementation of the referendum mandate, curbing abnormal price hikes in essentials including oil, gas, and electricity, improving law and order, and ending extortion, land-grabbing, and political suppression.
"For the past year and a half, we were repeatedly told that elections would fix everything and that food would be guaranteed once they took power," Asif Mahmud said. "Yet, nearly six months into their administration, there are no reforms, no reliable gas or electricity supply, and no food on the plates of ordinary citizens."
Addressing broken electoral pledges, Asif Mahmud noted that pre-election commitments regarding family ration cards, improved living standards, and the creation of ten million jobs annually remain unfulfilled, while essential commodities remain out of reach for ordinary people. Instead, he alleged widespread extortion by activists linked to the ruling party's affiliate bodies—BNP, Jubo Dal, and Chhatra Dal—citing reports where people are even forced to pay extortion fees to graze livestock.
The NCP spokesperson also questioned the upcoming presidential election framework, arguing that retaining Article 70 of the Constitution will prevent lawmakers from voting independently outside party dictates, rendering the process unfree. Expressing deep concern over delayed local government polls, he urged the administration to hold elections only after strengthening the Election Commission and implementing reforms based on the July Charter and the referendum verdict. He warned that appointed administrators running City Corporations, Upazila, and Union Parishads might contest these elections, and condemned reports of administrators misusing public funds for partisan promotion. He demanded that all currently appointed local administrators be barred from contesting upcoming local government elections.
Addressing reports regarding Sheikh Hasina's potential return, Asif Mahmud stated that amid growing rhetoric from India and Awami League leaders, the NCP is fully prepared to ensure proper legal accountability and justice if she returns to Bangladesh.
