"I have already asked my party leaders and workers, and I am also urging people with means to come forward to help tackle the situation," she told reporters after attending the 23rd death anniversary of former navy chief late Rear Admiral Mahbub Ali Khan in the capital.

The former prime minister said, "We also faced floods when we were in power and we stood beside the people at that time.... and now I am urging all to help the people."

"To stand beside the flood victims is our only duty and responsibility now," she told the reporters.

The reporters asked her about the activities of her party's dissident leaders led by its Secretary General Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan but Khaleda avoided making any comment by saying, "I have come here to attend a milad."

The former prime minister came out of her cantonment residence after nearly a month to attend the milad marking the former navy chief's death anniversary, who is also the father-in-law of Tarique Rahman, the detained son of Khaleda Zia.

Amid tight security Khaleda reached late Khan's Dhanmondi residence on Road No 5 around 7:10pm.

Hundreds of people including her party leaders and workers gathered at late Khan's house to have a glimpse of the BNP chairperson but law enforcers kept them at bay.

BNP Standing Committee Member Dr RA Gani, Chairperson's Adviser Brig Gen (Retd) Hannan Shah, former state minister Begum Selima Rahman, former lawmaker Maj (retd) Akhtar, Maj (retd) Saeed Eskandar, and Rehana Akhtar Ranu were among others present there.

Before yesterday Khaleda Zia was last seen outside of her house on July 5 when she offered fateha at the grave of her late husband, former president Ziaur Rahman. Later she wanted to visit ailing eminent singer Sabina Yasmin at Labaid Hospital, but the authorities did not allow her.

Meanwhile, BNP Secretary General Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan on Friday, talking to reporters in his Gulshan residence, also urged his party members, sympathizers, and well off people to help the flood victims.