He however left it to the future to decide if this 'platform' would turn into a political party. He said roundtables with different professionals would be held soon.

"We could discuss with professionals journalists, educationists, retired bureaucrats, businessmen, industrialists and make in-depth studies of the problems in their own fields and find out solutions," Badruddoza said, ending speculations about his future plans at an Iftar party at the Winter Garden in Sheraton Hotel.

"Following this phase, politicians of course should be consulted and possible political solutions discussed. We need a large number of educated, honest, sincere, broadminded and efficient people of which we have no dearth in our society to take up leadership in politics and society," Badruddoza, the founding secretary general of the BNP, who had to resign from presidency within seven months of taking office under pressure from his former party men.

The crowded Iftar party, mostly attended by journalists and a number of diplomats, became the focus of political speculations in recent times after Badruddoza floated the idea of a 'third force' because of the failure of the government in tackling crimes, corruption and price spiral.

Giving reasons for his idea of floating a platform, he said the law and order situation has 'worsened seriously' and corruption has assumed new dimensions.

"Corruption has eaten into the moral fabric of society," he said.

Clad in an off-white punjabi and kurta, and in a relaxed and jovial mood, the ex-president exchanged pleasantries with the guests and even made punchy remarks on questions from inquiring journalists. His family members including wife Hasina Warda Chowdhury, daughter Shaila, son Mahi B Chowdhury, , brother-in-law Dr Osman Haider Chowdhury busied around the Winter Garden hall, making arrangements for guests and handing out copies of the written speech of Badruddoza.

"The administration is lacking in efficiency and shows no sign of looking up," the former president said. "People are also questioning the rise of an additional power centre outside the official administrative mechanism."

"The sense of utter insecurity of life, the loss of human lives on account of the existing law and order situation and the critical corruption situation demand very urgent attention."

"I feel it is my duty to point out that our civil society should start responding to and performing the duty they are expected to do in times of need. The people have great faith in them," he said.

"A united platform of the civil society could start organising and functioning themselves. They could sit in roundtable conferences and discuss the ways and means to come out of this situation," he said.

Asked if his former colleagues in the BNP who had done politics with him for over two decades would be in the new platform, Badruddoza said: "Not only them, all people who feel for the country and aspire to dedicate to the development of the country would be with me. I urge them all to be under the umbrella."

"I will sit with the politicians after the Eid to discuss the issues and ideas," he said.

Asked what he would do if his move to form the platform faced opposition from the government as already hinted, he said: "I don't think I will face any resistance. But if I am resisted, I will tackle it when it comes."

Badruddoza came to Sheraton in the morning where he booked a room and stayed there till 4:40 when he came down to the Iftar.

"The traffic block took me long to come," he said. Asked if he faced 'any problem' in reaching the hotel, he said: "No, it is the usual thing you face everyday."

Iftar attendants

Representatives from 17 foreign missions in Dhaka, editors, two ex-foreign secretaries and a couple of representatives from NGOs were present at the party, among others.

British High Commissioner David Carter, French Ambassador Michel Lummaux, Iranian Ambassador Mohammad Rejail Nouri, Myanmar Ambassador U Ohn Thwin, Charge d' affaires of Nepal Madhu Raman Acharya Arun, acting High Commissioner of India Dilip Sinha, Pakistan acting High Commissioner. High Commissioner of Australia, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka, Garman Deputy of chief, Political Counselor of Japan Embassy, Deputy Chief of Mission of Russian Embassy, Counselor of Korean Embassy, Charge de affairs of European Union Hens Rein, Residential Representative of the UNDP Jorgen Listner were present among the foreign dignitaries.

Former chief election commissioner Justice Abdur Rouf, Managing Director of ASA Shafiqul Haque Chowdhury, Chairperson of Fair Election Monitoring Alliance and former diplomat Abul Ahsan, former foreign secretary CM Shafi Sami, Editor of Jugantar Golam Sarwar, Editor of New Age Enayetullah Khan, , Editor of The News Today Reaz Uddin Ahmed, Editor of the Bangladesh Observer Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, Editor of The Daily Star Mahfuz Anam, acting Editor of Sangbad Bazlur Rahman, Executive Editor of Ittefaq Hasan Shahriar, Editor of Manabjamin Matiur Rahman Chowdhury, Editor of Bhorer Kagoj Abed Khan, Editor of Inqilab MM Bahauddin, Ataus Samad, Gias Kamal Chowdhury and a number of senior journalists attend the Iftar party.