Awami League central leadership, split in seven teams, started distributing relief goods among the flood-hit people. Swadhinata Chikitsak Parishad, doctors' wing of Awami League, provided medical services for the affected people.

Acting AL President Zillur Rahman started party's relief operation from Satarkul in the city's Badda area in the afternoon on behalf of the detained party chief.

While distributing relief goods among 400 families in Satarkul Union, Zillur said: "We are conducting the relief work on instructions of our leader Sheikh Hasina."

Presidium member Abdur Razzak said it is unfortunate that political parties will not be allowed to conduct the relief work with their party identity. "Not for banner, we stand beside the flood victims to serve them," he said.

Presidium member Tofail Ahmed said Awami League always stood beside the distressed people at times of natural disaster. He said the party decided to conduct relief operation after the government made it clear that the emergency would not be an obstruction to relief work.

Motia Chowdhury said the government relief goods are inadequate to meet the demand. The way the government undermined the political parties was unwarranted.

Awami League leaders Advocate Rahmat Ali, Latif Siddiqui, Mukul Bose, Sahara Khatun, Prof Nazma Rahman, Dr Mostafa Jalal Mohiuddin, Sultan Mohammad Mansur and Advocate Qamrul Islam were, among others, present.

JSD President Hasanul Huq Inu and Executive President Moinuddin Khan Badal visited the flood-hit Sirajganj yesterday and distributed relief among the victims.

On behalf of Khaleda Zia, Brig Gen (retd) Hannan Shah will lead the BNP team to Tangail and Sirajganj today for distributing relief materials among the flood affected people.