DHAKA: Before flying for Saudi Arabia after an airport hassle, opposition leader and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia Monday alleged the ruling Awami League outshone all ‘autocratic’ regimes.

Security personnel at Shahjalal International Airport barred her party-men, including BNP Secretary-General Khandaker Delwar Hossain, from seeing her off.

Angry at that, the party leaders and activists engaged in an alteration with the law-enforcers.

Reaching the airport, Khaleda bitterly criticized the government for such attitude.

Addressing the party faithful, the ex-PM said, “Such attitude of the government with opposition leaders betrays anti-democratic mentality of the government.”

She alleged the government can do nothing but hindering the opposition.

Later, she left for Saudi Arabia at the special invitation of Saudi King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud at 4pm by an Emirates Airways flight.

She is being accompanied by her family members, officials of her office and a group of journalists on the pilgrimage.

BDST: 1801 HRS, AUG 30, 2010.