"Politicians must be honest, accountable and transparent," said Rajshahi district BNP publicity secretary Advocate AKM Mizanur Rahman.

Fazle Hossain Badsha, a central leader of Worker's Party, said politicians would never achieve credibility if parties do not stop recruiting corrupt people. He condemned what he called ever-growing trend of politicians vying for power and undue influence.

He admitted there were elements even in his 14-party alliance who are holders of black money.

Another panellist Shawkat Ara, a professor of psychology of Rajshahi University, said politicians are not to blame only, "voters should be more careful in exercising their franchise".

She urged voters to reject corrupt people and black money holders.

Gholam Rabbani, leader of the movement for electricity in Kansat, said mass awareness was key to removing corruption from politics.

Referring to the Kansat movement, he said had the people of the country been aware of their legitimate rights as their fellow citizens did in Kansat, the politicians would have been more accountable.

The panellists also discussed issues, including crisis over the question of Chief Election Commissioner, government officials joining politics after retirement and the issue of extremist politics in Rajshahi.

Moderated by Shakeel Anwar of BBC Bengali Service, the 10th edition of "Bangladesh Sanglap" was recorded at Nanking Darbar Hall in Rajshahi on November 18.

The programme was broadcast on the BBC Bengali Service Radio on Sunday and telecast on Channel-i at 8.00 last night.