Anticipating protests from opposition parties over the ongoing fuel crisis across the country, ruling BNP leaders are considering launching counter political campaigns while urging the administration to step up vigilance against fuel oil hoarding.
With people already under pressure because of the high cost of essentials and fuel, the government must keep fuel supply as normal as possible, take steps to prevent panic, and explain the real situation clearly, they also said.
They warned that if the situation is allowed to slide, public anger may pave the way for the opposition to grab political space.
Although the government says the country has fuel stock for May and while a reserve for June and July is being secured, BNP leaders said the steps taken so far have not cleared the confusion regarding the fuel situation.
Senior BNP leaders discussed the issue last week, as the party assessed the political fallout of the situation.
According to sources at the Prime Minister’s Office, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman was dissatisfied with the local administration’s role in taking action against hoarding and illegal stockpiling.
“Drives are underway, but the syndicate has not been broken,” said one source.
Local administration recovered 5.77 lakh litres of fuel between March 3 and April 21.
The BNP leaders also said local administration should be more active in taking legal action against hoarding, while party leaders and activists should politically counter the opposition’s ongoing negative campaign in and outside the parliament, aimed at creating the impression that the government is not prepared to handle the situation.
“People do not believe only official statements. They believe what they see…The opposition is trying to use this issue to stir up people against the government,” said a senior BNP leader, who had attended the meeting, wishing anonymity.
“If the situation continues for long, it may create a negative impression to the public,” he added.
BNP leaders also said the government’s initial decision to introduce a fuel rationing system created panic among people and proved to be a slip-up in managing the crisis. The government later withdrew the measure.
Meanwhile, opposition Jamaat-e-Islami has already held protest programmes over the past week, where its leaders strongly criticised the ruling BNP.
BNP leaders said the opposition parties may also try to connect the fuel issue with other public grievances, including inflation, unemployment, load-shedding and poor services.
They also expressed concern over the power situation, saying load-shedding has increased in several areas, especially in rural areas, leaving people suffering as power cuts affect homes, shops, small businesses and farming.
Farmers who depend on diesel-run machines for irrigation during the Boro season may be badly affected if the fuel problem continues, they said, adding that if diesel is not available on time, or if its price rises sharply, it will adversely affect crop production.
The situation may worsen if power cuts continue in the coming summer months when demand for electricity and fuel usually rises, leading to public frustration, the leaders warned.
They urged the government to update the people on fuel stocks and emergency plans in a clear and coordinated manner and address their sufferings through better service delivery.
Also, law enforcement agencies should not respond harshly to public anger, they added.
