Opposition demonstrators protest price hikes, corruption in Bangladesh

By Md. Kamruzzaman

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AA) — Thousands of opposition supporters demonstrated in the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka, on Saturday, protesting against rising prices and corruption.

The rally, organized by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), accused the ruling Awami League government of "misrule and anomalies," resulting in unnatural price hikes, including in electricity and gas.

Opposition leaders stated that ordinary people are suffering, with many starving, while only corrupt members of the ruling party are benefiting from illicit financial actions.

People carrying banners and festoons at the rally chanted slogans to demand Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resign in favor of a nonpartisan caretaker government to hold elections.

The south Asian Muslim-majority nation of nearly 170 million people will hold the country's 12th national election in the coming December or January.

Citing gross irregularities and ballot stuffing on the previous night, the main opposition BNP and its allies boycotted the previous 2018 and 2014 national elections.

At a separate rally in Dhaka, meanwhile, the Ganatantra Mancha, an alliance of seven opposition political parties in Bangladesh, also accused the government of failing to control the prices of everyday needs.

Opposition leaders from both rallies said they would hold larger gatherings after Ramadan to press their demands.