Opposition trying to mislead people by opposing budget: PM

The Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Tarique Rahman, on Saturday said that the opposition party was opposing the proposed national budget for FY2026-27 not to protect public interests but to create instability in the country and mislead people.

“I read it in the newspapers, Alhamdulillah that so far no commodity prices have increased following the budget unlike in the past,” he said while addressing a brief gathering after inaugurating the re-excavation work of the historic Patali Canal in Pmkhali Union under Cox’s Bazar Sadar Upazila.

Tarique said taxes on around 60 essential products including rice, lentils, edible oil and salt have been withdrawn in the budget announced two days ago so that prices of daily necessities do not rise, reports UNB.

“The objective is simple, to ensure that people can live well,” he said.

Criticising the opposition’s rejection of the budget, Tarique questioned its position on measures intended to ease the burden on consumers.

“The Opposition says it does not accept this budget and calls it anti-people. I want to ask you a question. They do not accept a budget that reduces taxes. They do not like a budget that increases the prices of alcohol and cigarettes. Then have you understood what their real intention is?” the Prime Minister said.

“Their objective is not to stand beside the people of the country. Their only goal is to create instability and unrest in the country and mislead people,” he added.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury presented the proposed budget for FY2026-27 in Parliament on June 11, 2026.

Highlighting the budget’s emphasis on production and employment, Tarique said Bangladesh must strengthen industry and commerce alongside agriculture.

“Bangladesh is an agriculture-based country. But at the same time we must build industries and expand trade. If industries and businesses grow, employment opportunities will be created for our young people. They will be able to find jobs and engage in business activities,” he said.
The PM said the government has increased taxes on imported products that compete with locally manufactured goods in order to protect domestic industries.

“We have raised taxes on imported products that are also produced locally so that our domestic industries and manufacturers can receive support. We have included such measures in this budget. Yet even this is not acceptable to the Opposition,” he said.