They however said as the country cannot run without politicians, time has come for honest politicians to serve the nation.

The seminar titled 'Establishment of institutional democracy and importance of reform' was organised by Bangladesh Reform Movement at the National Press Club in the city.

It was addressed, among others, by former Jatiya Party (JP) leaders and members of the civil society.

Former JP leader Kazi Firoj Rashid said politicians are not only responsible for corruption but many bureaucrats, businessmen and professionals are also guilty of corruption.

"The country cannot run by hiring new faces from the outside of political arena. Many honest politicians are still there in political parties. Now this is the high time for honest politicians to come out from the grip of corrupt leaders," he said.

Kazi Firoj urged all decent politicians to be united and raise their voice against the traditional political culture and system, which had encouraged the corruption.

Another JP former leader Tazul Islam Chowdhury said no reform will be successful without reforms in party constitutions.

"A politician cannot express his opinion against the party's decision in parliament. Besides, lower-and-middle level politicians cannot speak against the decision of top leaders. This culture will have to be changed for the interest of the country," he added.

Columnist Rezaul Karim Talukder presided over the seminar where Anower Haq read out the keynote paper.

Political reformists Abul Hasan Chowdhury, Nur Muhammad Khan, Kazi Hayat and Abdul Khaleq Mandal also took part in the discussion.