But the government high-ups appeared indifferent to their demands that included measures to ensure adequate supply of power, fertiliser and diesel and to rein in price hike of essentials, and instead claimed that there were no crises at all.

At the DCs' conference in the capital on Sunday, many of them said production of food grains will be hampered in different areas of the country due to crises of fertiliser, diesel and electricity. Some of them also proposed formation of motivational committees to resolve the crises.

Later, Cabinet Secretary Abdul Halim, who is reportedly preparing to contest the next general elections as a BNP nominee, echoed the views of the government high-ups, saying there are no such crises.

The BNP leadership's extensive exchange of view programmes with the grassroots leaders last year have virtually turned out to be a futile exercise, noted many party adherents, expressing their frustration over the leadership's 'inertia' in removing public sufferings.

As in the past, this time also the government may not take steps to resolve the crises despite the DCs' suggestions, they feared.

Describing the situation before the BNP stalwarts, many of whom are also government policy makers, the grassroots leaders had also warned that the party would have to face odds in the next elections if the government failed to improve the situation immediately.

But the government does not seem to consider those seriously.

On power crisis, Prime Minister Khaleda Zia has repeatedly said the situation has improved a lot. Demand for power has increased over the years due to fast industrialisation and new connections across the country. For this, there is a little shortage of power at present, she claimed.

Khaleda also said prices of essentials are under control and within people's reach as their purchasing capacity has increased. Slight rise in the prices of some commodities is due to the global market situation.

She denied that there is any fertiliser crisis and blamed the opposition for creating an artificial crisis.

But in line with the grassroots leaders' views, some ruling BNP lawmakers on several occasions in parliament in February decried the price hike of essentials and power crisis.

Thousands of grassroots leaders of the BNP participated in the exchange of views in different areas of the country in February-March and in October last year, arranged by party Senior Joint Secretary General Tarique Rahman.

The government however repeatedly blasted the media for any crisis. Even when the BNP grassroots leaders blamed the government for the worsening situation in some sectors, several senior ministers lashed out at the media for this.

VOICE OF GRASSROOTS LEADERS
As many as 2,900 leaders of district, upazila and municipality units of the BNP in six divisions attended the October 15-16 meeting and Iftar party at the Prodhanmontri Bhaban in the capital last year.

"The price hike of essentials and shortage of power have badly affected people's lives in these last days of the government," said Taiyebur Rahman, president of Thakurgaon upazila BNP, participating in the discussion on October 15. "We will have to face a tough time in the next election if the situation does not improve," he continued amid clapping from fellow leaders from 36 districts of Rajshahi, Chittagong and Sylhet divisions.

General Secretary of Dinajpur district BNP Ashraful Alam said the villagers are experiencing an acute power crisis. "The government's achievements in rural electrification have been faded by the present crisis of power. The people are now blaming the government for this crisis."

Speaking at the second day's meeting, SM Gaznavi, general secretary of Borhanuddin upazila unit of the party, said the party leaders who did not get any benefits are now aggrieved and those who have been benefited in the last four years are 'acting cautiously'.

"Ministers will leave the country if the party fails to win the next election but we will have to stay home and face the adverse situation," Gaznabi said.

On the second day, BNP Standing Committee Member Chowdhury Tanvir Ahmed Siddiqui expressed similar views and criticised the ministers and party lawmakers who, he said, are keeping the field level workers at a distance.

"If the ministers and lawmakers eat up everything, what will be left for the other leaders and workers," Tanvir questioned amid clapping from the grassroots leaders.

At a party meeting in Rajshahi on February 9 last year, a local BNP leader blasted the government for price hike of diesel and fertiliser. "Prices of fertiliser and diesel are too high. Farmers blame the government for this," said Subodh Chandra Mandal, organising secretary of Bishnupur unit of the BNP in Naogaon.

"All credits for the developments made so far have been faded by the skyrocketing price of rice," said Tasikul Islam, president of Jhilim union BNP unit in Chapainawabganj, at the meeting.

About farm subsidy, Abul Kalam Azad of Dighapara union unit in Natore told a party meeting on February 8 last year, "Farmers are not getting benefits of the government subsidy of Tk 600 crore." The meeting held at the district town was attended by 2,022 grassroots level leaders.

"Most of the electoral pledges of the party have not been implemented. We cannot reply to people's queries for this failure," Abdur Rafik, president of Kismatnagar union BNP unit in Rajshahi district, said at the February 9 meeting held at Rajshahi stadium, attended by 2,187 grassroots leaders.

Similar issues were raised at such party meetings in Chittagong, Sylhet, Comilla, Mymensingh, Khulna and other places.

Senior ministers present at the meetings however denied any crises and advised the grassroots level leaders to portray the government's development activities and achievements.