Leaders of Jashore’s Sharsha upazila unit of BNP have visited flood-affected areas along the Ichamati River — including Bhabanipur, Dadkhali, Rudrapur, Goga Bilpara and Baikola — where broken embankments, damaged sluice gates and waterlogged homes have left residents stranded following days of heavy rain and the onrush of water from upstream India.

On Wednesday afternoon, accompanied by BNP leaders and activists from upazila, union and ward levels, they inspected the flooded areas and later addressed a street rally on the premises of Dadkhali Government Primary School.

The rally, chaired by Kayba Union BNP president Robiul Hossain and conducted by general secretary Shahidul Islam, was addressed by  Sharsha upazila BNP president Abul Hasan Zohir, general secretary Nuruzzaman Liton, former central BNP office secretary Mofiqul Hasan Tripti,organising secretaries Ashraful Alam Babu and Salauddin Ahmed, among others.

Speakers at the rally said that, following the directive of BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman, party leaders and activists at all levels have been instructed to maintain constant communication at the grassroots and stand beside the poor and helpless. “As part of that initiative, we have come here with our fellow leaders to see your suffering first-hand and to offer you consolation,” they said.

They alleged that before the fall of the “Awami fascist government,” huge allocations were shown on paper but funds were embezzled without any work being done. “No initiatives were taken for the poor, helpless and flood-hit people, and your current plight is living proof of that,” they added.

The BNP leaders assured that if the party assumes power, it will ensure overall development of the country, including the construction of strong and sustainable embankments in the area, and provide rehabilitation and all necessary assistance to the poor and homeless, as pledged by acting chairman Tarique Rahman. “We have come here to deliver his message of peace and development to you,” they said.

Also present were Sharsha upazila joint general secretaries Mostafa Kamal Mintu, Tajuddin Ahmed and Kuddus Ali Biswas; Bagachra Union BNP president AHM Asaduzzaman Mithu and general secretary Jahangir Hossain; upazila Jubo Dal convener Mostafiz Joha Selim, member secretary Imdadul Haque Imdad, joint conveners Al Mamun Bablu and Kabir Hossain; Chhatra Dal convener Shariful Islam Chayon, member secretary Sabuj Hossain Khan; and leaders of BNP and its affiliated organisations.