Sherpur: Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad on Sunday branded his party senior leader and Water Resources Minister Anisul Islam Mahmud as a mastermind of 1/11 political changeover and demanded that he be tried.

‘The name of another person should be added to those of The Daily Star Editor Mahfuz Anam and others that surfaced for illegally bringing Fakhruddin-Moyeenuddin to power, and he’s my party presidium member and minister Anisul Islam Mahmud,’ he said.

Speaking at the district unit Jatiya Party’s council, Ershad also said Mahmud had illegally become the party’s acting chairman removing him during the 1/11 changeover. ‘Isn’t he a villain?

Describing Mahmud also as a traitor and conspirator, the Jatiya Party chairman said, ‘He is a mastermind of 1/11. I demand his trial along with other masterminds of the 1/11 episode.’

The biennial council of Sherpur Jatiya Party was held at the district Shilpakala Academy auditorium.

Ershad said his brother GM Quader has been made Jatiya Party co-chairman so that he can run the party in his absence.  

He asked his party leaders and activists not to be get confused by a group of vested leaders in the party. ‘Don’t pay heed to them, and stay away from them.’

Later, he announced the names of the Sherpur Jatiya Party’s new committee. Ilias Uddin was made president while Shafiqul Islam general secretary of the committee.