A national convention of politicians, lawmakers, journalists, lawyers and NGO leaders on Sunday formed a national platform for unity to press a 17-point demand to head off 'criminalised politics' and establish a violence- and corruption-free state.
The venue wore a different look with leaders of different political hues gathering on the same podium and a dramatic appearance and address by former president Badruddoza Chowdhury, who also sent a written message to convention organisers before giving security reasons for not attending the convention.
Another former president and head of the first caretaker government, Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed, sent a written message, the first ever in his life for any political convention.
No leaders of main opposition Awami League joined the programme saying it was an organisational programme of Dr Kamal Hossain, convenor of the new platform that formed a 32-member committee. There was no response from the ruling BNP either.
Dr Kamal Hossain , who presided over the meeting said , we hope we will able to rid the administration of family influence and corruption and make parliament active