DHAKA: Opposition Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad on Wednesday categorically said BNP was the first party to start the politics of vindictiveness in the country.

The former president of the country made the observation while addressing a discussion meeting at party central office in the afternoon.

He said, “BNP started the politics of vindictiveness in the country after assuming power in 1991. They talk about democracy and level playing field but they were the first who sent JP leaders in jail without any reason.”

Ershad further said, “Time and again Khaleda Zia says Ershad is a murderer. But I request her to see her own image. You had killed 28 farmers in Gaibandha without providing them fertiliser; you killed 20 people at Kansat when they demanded electricity.”

He also declared to build memorials at Gaibandha and Kansat in honour of the people who were killed during the BNP regime.

Ershad also criticised the enduring political situation in the country saying: “The Pakistan army used to kidnap and kill people in 1971. The practice has resurfaced again. We have gone back to 1971 and now we have no guarantee of natural death.”

Pledging to build a new Bangladesh, JP chairman said, “There would be no terrorism in educational institutions if JP assumes power once again.”

He also said student’s parliament will be initiated at every university so that new leaders could come out from there.

With Dhaka City (South) Jatiya Party president Syed Abu Hossain Babla in the chair, JP secretary general Ziauddin Ahmed Bablu, water resources minister Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud, presidium member Advocate Sheikh Sirajul Islam, MA Hannan, senior joint secretary general Advocate Rezaul Islam Bhuiyan and Chhatra Samaj president Iftekhar Ahsan Hasan, among others, addressed the discussion meeting.

BDST: 1913 HRS, DEC 17, 2014