Dhaka: Noting that the destructive activities of the 18-party alliance cost the country dearly last year, Awami League general secretary Syed Ashraful Islam on Tuesday urged Bangladesh Nationalist Party Chairperson Khaleda Zia to take politics ahead peacefully.

Syed Ashraful Islam, also Public Administration minister, came up with the call while addressing a rally organised at Bangabandhu Avenue marking the ‘Victory Day for Democracy’.

‘You killed 64 people and injured 1,500 more during your movement spanning from 5 January to April last year. The country incurred a financial loss of Tk 17,000 crore while 700 vehicles were set on fire,’ Syed Ashraf said.

‘Why did you (Khaleda) do this? …for democracy?’ he questioned hastening to answer: ‘People shouldn’t be killed and vehicles shouldn’t set ablaze for democracy.’

Alleging that the BNP chief wanted to turn the country into an ineffective state hindering its development through resorting to a bloodletting game, the ruling party leader said, the country’s people will never forget her misdeeds.

He also said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina believes in democracy where there will be no need of killing and where election will be held peacefully.

The ruling party organised the two rallies at Bangabandhu Avenue and Russell Square, marking the ‘Victory Day for Democracy’.