SAJJAD HOSSAIN

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

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