Political commentator and adviser Asif Mahmud remarked, “Moves by different wings of the Janatar Moncho (People's Platform) are becoming clearer. Long-standing beneficiaries of corruption are resisting any reform as it threatens their settlements.” Referring to a business leader’s comment that withholding gas to industries is like ‘killing entrepreneurs’, Asif countered, “Gas supply to industries has actually increased by 22% compared to last year.” He criticized efforts to portray the government as oppressive despite improvements in utility services.