They said political reforms should not be imposed from outside, rather political parties themselves should initiate such reforms as per people's will.

The roundtable tilted 'Reform in political parties: Citizens' thought' was organised by Sammilita Nagorik Andolon at the National Press Club in the city.

In a keynote paper at the programme General Secretary of Sammilita Sangskritik Jote Golam Kuddus briefly discussed the constitutions of major political parties and drew comparisons among them.

Prof Harun ur Rashid of Dhaka University said the leadership pattern of Bangladesh political parties is not superimposed, rather it is a product of the socio-economic condition of the country.

New Age Editor Nurul Kabir said none of the political parties in Bangladesh is democratic.

He stressed the need for transparency in the financial accounts of political parties.

Kabir alleged that a process has started to de-politicise the total society by solely blaming the political leaders.

Lessons should be learnt from some African countries where the state was turned into limited companies by banning politics and blaming political leaders, he added.

Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique of Dhaka University said it is everybody's expectation that honest and competent candidates win the elections.

But that would need reforms in people's mindset, he added.

Justice KM Sobhan chaired the programme which was also addressed by Chairman of Muktijoddha Foundation Principal Abdul Ahad Chowdhury, Journalist Faiz Ahmed, Rashid Haidar and Ataur Rahman.