National Citizen Party (NCP) spokesperson Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain on Saturday alleged that prices of food items across the country had risen by up to 100 percent over the past seven months, while people's incomes had remained unchanged.

“Prices of essential commodities have increased by 50 to 100 percent, making it extremely difficult for low-income people to make ends meet,” Asif said while addressing a protest rally organised by the NCP in Uttara.

Citing the prices of vegetables and meat, Asif said tomatoes were selling at Tk 200 per kilogram, while broiler chicken was also priced at Tk 200 per kilogram.

“This means people have to buy vegetables at the price of meat,” he said.

Asif said the incomes of ordinary low-income people had not increased even by 10 percent in recent years, while commodity prices continued to rise every day.

The price surge could not be brought under control unless market syndicates were dismantled, he said.

Referring to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, Asif said people had expected the country to resemble London after the prime minister returned from the British capital and assumed office.

“Now we see the country becoming like Uganda. Even Uganda is ahead of Bangladesh in many respects,” he said.

Expressing concern over the country's security situation, Asif referred to the shooting attack on popular singer Asif Akbar's car.

He said the attack took place only days after the singer had criticised the home minister over the lack of security in the country.

Criticising Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, the NCP spokesperson said, “We have heard that he is very intelligent and has memorised the Constitution and the laws. Then create a post of Constitution Minister and appoint him there. Otherwise, make him the law minister. If you consider him even more qualified, make him the prime minister. But he has lost the qualification to remain the home minister.”

Asif urged the government to ensure public safety and bring commodity prices down to an affordable level.