The immigration authorities at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport reportedly barred BNP Vice Chairman Maj (retd) Hafizuddin Ahmed on Tuesday from travelling to India for receiving treatment.
The BNP leader told reporters that he and his wife were scheduled to board an Air India flight at 2:30 pm to travel to India.
“They asked me to wait at immigration after I arrived at the airport. My wife was with me. She was allowed to go but I was barred from leaving the country,” he said.
As he is sick, Hafiz said he made all arrangements for receiving treatment at a hospital in Delhi on doctor`s advice.
Hafiz stated that he followed his doctor`s instructions and made all the necessary arrangements to receive treatment at Delhi`s Fortis Hospital on Wednesday.
When asked why he was obstructed from going abroad, Hafiz said immigration officials could not tell him any specific reason
Before the announcement of the election schedule, Information Minister Hasan Mahmud told reporters that many BNP leaders, including Hafizuddin, would leave BNP to join a new party.
Later, in a press conference at his Banani residence on November 8, Hafizuddin said he would retire from politics soon and dismissed the speculation of forming a new party by splitting BNP
"My physical limitations prevent me from actively engaging in politics. I`m going to retire shortly.Right now, I put my health first. It is not true that I`m going to start a new political party. If BNP takes part in the election, I will participate. I am still with BNP and will stay with the party,” he told the press conference.
