Khaleda wants to visit flood-hit areas at ‘her own risk’

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Former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia wants to visit flood affected areas to join the relief operation at her own risk, if the government continues to be reluctant to allow her on security grounds.
“The government should not bar Khaleda Zia from visiting flood affected areas as party leaders and activists will ensure her security if the government fails to do so,” BNP Chairperson’s Adviser Brig Gen (retd) ASM Hannan Shah told reporters yesterday during a news briefing in his Mohakhali residence in the capital.

He said BNP will start its relief operation from today under his supervision with directions from Khaleda Zia as the party Secretary General Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan did not respond to the phone call from the chairperson.

Meanwhile, Mannan Bhuiyan yesterday said his faction of the party has already started its relief operation in different places of the country.

“Our district level leaders and former lawmakers have already started the relief operations in their areas,” he told reporters in his Gulshan residence in the capital.

Party sources said the two rival factions of BNP led by Khaleda Zia and Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan will distribute relief materials separately among the flood victims. Leaders of the Bhuiyan-led faction recently in a meeting decided to carry out their relief operation through the faction’s former lawmakers and district level leaders, while leaders loyal to Khaleda Zia will start their relief distribution from today through a few local leaders.

Khaleda Zia is scheduled to visit the flood affected areas in Sirajganj and Tangail today but the government had yet to give her the permission till filing this report last night.

Relief and Disaster Management Adviser Tapan Chowdhury however said during a news briefing on Wednesday that Khaleda Zia would not be able to visit the affected areas due to security reasons, but the home ministry would take the final decision.

Hannan Shah yesterday talked to the home secretary and requested him to take necessary measures so that Khaleda is able to join the relief operations in Sirajganj and Tangail according to the schedule announced by the party.

Later during the briefing Hannan Shah said Khaleda Zia told him that she will take all the responsibilities if she faces any problem during her visit to the flood affected areas without government security.

“I hope the government will give the permission by today,” Hannan said yesterday, adding that their motive is not to put the government through any trouble.

Party leaders and activists will distribute relief materials according to the party chief’s direction if she is allowed to visit the affected areas, Hannan said adding that the people as well as party members and sympathisers will be encouraged to join the relief operations if they get Khaleda Zia beside them.

Hannan Shah alleged that the chairperson tried to contact de facto chief of the rival faction and party Secretary General Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan for giving him directions regarding the party’s relief operation, but he did not receive the phone call, and that is why she is giving the directions through Hannan.

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