Dhaka: President of Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh (BDB) AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury on Friday said the debacle of Awami League and BNP in Rangpur city polls has demonstrated that the popularity of the two major parties has largely declined.

‘Jatiya Party candidate has won the Rangpur polls with a big margin by defeating the candidates of two major parties…Awami League got 24 per cent votes while BNP’s condition is more disappointing as it bagged 11 percent vote. The two parties’ popularity has been on the wane,’ he said.

B Chowdhury, also a former President, came up with the observations while speaking at a discussion at Photojournalists’

Association auditorium in the city arranged by Bangladesh Janata Dal, marking the ‘Victory Day’.

He harshly criticised the government for what he said the soaring prices of the essentials, growing incidents of enforced disappearance, corruption and the repeated leakage of question paper.

The BDB chief said 55 people went missing over the last few months and nine of them returned home. ‘But no one is talking about it.’

He deplored that the dreams of freedom fighters are yet to be materialised as people’s basic rights and security have not been ensured.   

Speaking at the programme, Nagorik Oikya convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna said though the governments used to talk about the country’s development, most banks have got plundered. ‘Is it the sign of development?’

He said the parties that have so far have gone to power mocked with people as they were busy making their own fortunes.

Manna urged people to get united and elect Jukta Front in the next election for the welfare of the country and the nation.