Accusing BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia of conspiring by holding a meeting with government officials, Jatiya Party chairman HM Ershad on Saturday said her party's plot will not work as people have dumped it.
"She (Khaleda) is now conspiring and holding meetings at her office.
Making plots won't help as people have ditched you," he said.
Ershad, also an especial envoy to the Prime Minister, came up with the harsh remarks while addressing a discussion arranged by his party in front of its Kakrail office marking 'Constitution Protection Day'.
While BNP and some other political organisations observe December 6 as the 'Democracy Free Day' or 'Fall of Autocrat Day' commemorating Ershad's bowing out in the face of a mass upheaval on the day in 1990, Jatiya Party marks it as 'Constitution Protection Day'.
Ershad said many people say many things about December 6 and some people call it 'Fall of Autocrat Day'. "We call it Constitution Protection Day' as I resigned on that day as per the constitution to safeguard it. So, this day will ever be observed as Constitution Protection Day."
He also claimed that he was not an autocrat. "My government in 1990 was not illegal? it was a constitutional one. There's a Supreme Court verdict on it."
The Jatiya Party chief branded former President and Justice (retd) Shahabuddin Ahmed as a traitor. "He had taken over the charge of President being the Chief Justice of the country. A person can't hold two constitutional posts at a time. He must face trial for it one day."
He also claimed that the political parties introduced parliamentary forms of government amending the constitution only because of fear that he would again return to power if the presidential form was in place.
During his nine years of rule, Ershad said, no one could call Bangladesh a failed state and a corrupt country. "Now a reign of terror has been established in the country. People are vexed at killings, violence, tender manipulation, corruption and looting."
The deposed president said people are eager to get rid of the Awami League and BNP forever as they want to live in peace.
Expecting that his party will return to power through the next polls, he said they will stamp out corruption, terrorism and establish good governance in the country.
"Our target is to get 151 seats to ensure two-thirds majority (out of 300 seats) in the next election. But my baba (spiritual leader) has told me we'll win 200 seats, not only 151," he told his party men. Ershad, however, did not make it clear who is his baba.    ?UNB