Dhaka: BNP on Monday alleged that a syndicate of ruling party businessmen is making a windfall profit by artificially hiking the prices of essentials ahead of the holy month Ramadan.

‘The prices of essentials are skyrocketing ahead of Ramadan. The retailers and wholesalers have raised the prices of the essential items. The ruling party syndicate is behind such artificial price hike,’ said BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.

He came up with the allegation at a press conference at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office.

The BNP leader said the prices of all the necessary items, including onion, garlic, sugar, green chili, brinjal, potato, turmeric, ginger, tomato, cucumber, have marked a rise by Tk 10-50 each kg.

He said the price of onion has gone up to Tk 50 from its previous price of Tk 20 while no vegetables are being sold at less than Tk 70-80 each kg.

‘The reason behind the unusual price hike of essentials ahead of Ramadan is the trick of the unscrupulous businessmen. But, the ministers concerned are silent about it as ruling party-syndicate men are making money,’ the BNP leader added.

Rizvi said the Finance Minister is trying to shut down the sugar mills having failed to control the sugar price.

He said the people who have long been struggling to cope with the soaring prices of the commodities, including rice, are now in a serious trouble due to the fresh price hike of essentials. ‘We strongly protest and voiced our deep concern over the unusual price hike ahead of Ramadan.’