Dhaka: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Khaleda Zia on Saturday described the proposed national budget for FY 2017-18 as a 'cruel one', saying the government has formulated it to suck people's last drop of blood.

"A cruel budget is a final attempt by the usurpers to suck people's last drop of blood. Resistance is the only way-out," she said in a message on her twitter account.

The BNP chief also said the budget is a pitiless proof that the greedy cliques which have been plundering the national resources years after years want to do it more.

Later speaking at in iftar party, Khaleda Zia feared that the prices of essentials will go up due to the imposition of VAT on many products and huge tax load on people.

BNP arranged the party for its leaders and activists at Bashundhara Convention Centre.

On Thursday, Finance Minister AMA Muhith unveiled a Tk 400,226 crore ambitious budget for the next fiscal year (2017-18) with a growth target of 7.4 percent, expecting to open up a new horizon for Bangladesh through some initiatives ahead of the next general election.

Khaleda Zia also said the proposed budget will create scopes for ruling party people to indulge in widespread corruption.

She urged the government not to increase gas tariffs considering public sufferings. "As the government is not elected with people's vote, it is least bothered about public sufferings."