National Citizen Party (NCP) Chief Organiser (South) and Cumilla-4 MP Hasnat Abdullah today said politicians who win seats in parliament with financial backing from businessmen are more likely to represent business interests than those of ordinary people.

"They [politicians] will speak for the businessmen who financed them; they will not speak for the general people," Hasnat said at an NCP-organised march and roadside rally on the Rajapur Bypass Road in Jhalakathi on Sunday afternoon.

He said lawmakers elected with the backing of illegal sand extractors would never speak out against sand grabbing.

Referring to his party's election promises, Hasnat said NCP lawmakers had not been intimidated by any "powerful quarters" during their first five months in parliament.

"We have consistently spoken out against media mafias, land grabbers, bank looters and vote thieves," he said.

Hasnat also alleged that the government had lost the people’s trust and confidence.

“We can spend days and nights discussing reforms, but our greater responsibility is to address people’s problems,” he said.

Recalling the movement that led to political change, Hasnat said that when the Awami League government claimed there was no alternative to its rule, students, workers and ordinary citizens had created one.

"In the same way, instead of waiting for this government, people must once again take the responsibility for bringing change," he said.

Hasnat said NCP had pledged before the election to represent the people if elected.

"It is for the people to judge whether we are representing them or the businessmen," he said.

Referring to those killed during the July movement, Hasnat said his party remained accountable to their sacrifices.

He alleged that previous governments had failed to build a corruption-free Bangladesh, tackle unemployment or establish an equitable society.

"If today's politicians fail to address unemployment and drug abuse, future generations will also hold them accountable," he said.

Hasnat also alleged that during the Awami League's tenure, the S Alam Group had "looted banks, national resources and the power sector."

During the rally, he announced Arifur Rahman Tuhin as the NCP candidate for the Rajapur upazila parishad election and urged voters to elect him.

NCP-nominated reserved-seat MP Dr Mahmuda Alam Mitu, and NCP Joint Convener Md Golam Sarwar Tushar, among others, spoke at the event.