Senior BJP leader L K Advani today asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to extend long-term assistance to Bihar government to rehabilitate flood-affected people.
The Leader of the Opposition, who led a delegation to the Prime Minister's Office, told reporters after the meeting that the Bihar government expected long-term assistance from the Centre to rehabilitate the people affected by floods.
"People would not be able to return to their homes for a long time. Schools need to be opened at the rehabilitation camps and homes swept away in floods have to be rebuilt," he said.
Advani, who carried out an aerial survey of flood-hit areas of Bihar yesterday along with NDA leaders, said the silt carried by the Kosi river has damaged the fields. "It is a matter of great worry," he added.
The BJP leader said that fears of outbreak of epidemics after the flood waters have receded could not be ruled out. "Besides NGOs, the Bihar government and the Centre will have to pitch in to prevent the outbreak," he said.
Advani also urged the PM to rein in his Cabinet colleagues from making political capital out of the issue. "I asked him to tell his ministers to exercise restraint in their statements.
The PM smiled and nodded in agreement," Advani said when asked about Singh's response.