Dhaka, Aug 2 (IANS) A ban on political activities under a national emergency has prevented political parties and NGOs from reaching those marooned by floods.
The party workers are the first to reach to the people during a natural calamity and traditionally, the government carries out much of the relief work through them.
However, during the current anti-corruption drive, politicians – including former ministers and lawmakers – have been caught with government relief material hidden in their homes, godowns and offices.
Many of them are either facing trial or have been convicted for possessing relief material – like corrugated iron sheets, tents, tarpaulin sheets and other building material – distributed by the government during past calamities.
Perishable goods like food grains and milk powder, often supplied by foreign governments, their agencies and NGOs, have been found rotting, according to media reports.
The result is that political parties have been kept away from relief work during the current floods, though the parties themselves have said that their non-participation was due to a blanket ban on political activities.
“Due to the changed situation, I am unable to personally stand by the people who are facing catastrophe,” said former prime minister and Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairperson Khaleda Zia Wednesday.
She restricted herself to issuing an appeal, urging all concerned to engage in relief work.
Relief workers generally carry their party flags and banners. “The restriction on political activities might bar any relief operation under the party’s banner,” Ashraf Hossain, a BNP joint secretary was quoted as saying in New Age.
Communist Party of Bangladesh President Monzurul Ahsan Khan said: “The government should make it clear whether they will allow political parties to distribute relief.”
He said the parties and different socio-political organisations have worked together to help the distressed people in the past, but this government obstructed their relief operations in Chittagong after the recent landslides.
Awami league, the country’s oldest party is as yet undecided. Pushed on the defensive after the arrest last month of its party chief Sheikh Hasina in a graft case, it is awaiting word from acting chief Zillur Rahman.
Its relief and social welfare secretary Najma Rahman said: “The situation is totally different this year, so we are yet to launch any relief programme.”