Dhaka: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) senior leader Shamsuzzaman Dudu on Sunday alleged that Bangladesh's people have been facing a 'silent famine' due to the government's failure to arrest the prices of essentials.

"Whenever Awami League comes to power, the country sees a famine-like situation and serious law and order downslide ... people are now experiencing a silent famine with the soaring prices of essentials," he said.

Speaking at a human chain programme, the BNP leader also said though Sheikh Hasina promised to provide people with rice at Tk 10 per kg before going to power in 2008, it is now being sold at Tk 70 per kg. "Rice prices have now gone beyond common people's buying capacity."

Gano Sangskriti Dal arranged the programme in front of National Press Club protesting at the growing price hike of essentials, including rice.

Dudu, a BNP vice chairman, said their party chief Khaleda Zia will return home very soon and place the framework of an election-time supportive government.

"It'll be good if the government accepts it. Or else, it'll have to face a fierce movement," he warned.

The BNP leader said their party and the 20-party alliance has no scope to back off from the movement for establishing people's rights and restoring democracy. "We'll take all the necessary steps to make our movement a success. We call upon the government to reach an understanding shunning its arrogance."

Dudu also came down hard on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for branding BNP as a terrorist and militant party at a programme in New York, saying she shamed the nation with her such remarks.

About refugee crisis, he said though Rohingyas were given shelter on humanitarian ground, the government must intensify diplomatic efforts to force Myanmar to take them back.

The BNP leader also urged the government to follow the policy and strategy by which their party forced Myanmar to stop violence against Rohingyas and take them back in 1978 and 1992.