National Citizen Party (NCP) Convenor Nahid Islam has questioned sharp increases in the prices of malta, aromatic rice, eggs and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), alleging that the country has once again fallen under the grip of powerful syndicates.

He said the prices of almost all essential commodities had risen since the BNP government assumed office.

“Which commodity has not become more expensive since this government took office? The prices of rice, flour, cooking oil, sugar, chicken, fish, vegetables and almost every essential commodity have gone up,” he said in a Facebook post on Monday night.

“People’s incomes have not increased, yet the cost of living has continued to rise,” Nahid added.

He said malta was being sold for 550 taka per kg, although, in his assessment, its retail price should be no more than 250 taka. Aromatic rice, he said, was selling for 240 taka per kg, compared with 120 taka during the tenure of the interim government.

Nahid also said eggs were selling for 160 taka a dozen, while LPG prices had risen sharply, with retailers in many cases charging 1,000 taka more per cylinder than the government-set price.

“During the 18 months of the interim government, people were largely spared the grip of powerful syndicates. But after the election, we would like to know who is backing these syndicates and who is behind their renewed activity,” he wrote.

Nahid further alleged that people were already struggling with rising fuel prices and extortion by BNP leaders and activists.

“On top of that, they are once again falling victim to syndicates, as they did during the fascist regime,” he said.

He called for the practice to be stopped immediately, describing it as a system for “plundering people’s hard-earned money”.

“Strict action must be taken against those involved in the syndicates. No other malign force should be allowed to play with the lives and livelihoods of the people of this country,” he said.