They made the call at a discussion organised by the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD- Inu) in the city to mark the 31st founding anniversary of the party.

Speaking on the occasion, JSD President Hasanul Hoque Inu said people are passing their days in a suffocating situation as prices of the essentials have reached beyond their purchasing power.

Awami League General Secretary Abdul Jalil said all pro-liberation forces need to be united to build the country in the spirit of the liberation war.

Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon said there is no alternative but to form a coalition among all progressive political forces to face the country's current situation.

Gonoforum General Secretary Saifuddin Ahmed Manik and Secretary General of the Communist Party of Bangladesh Muzahidul Islam Selim also spoke.

Another discussion was organised by JSD- Rob at the National Press Club to mark the occasion.

"We have to introduce bicameral legislature instead of the present parliamentary system if we want to get the benefit of our independence," founding general secretary of the party ASM Abdur Rob said.

"We have to form a federal form government to get rid of the bureaucratic system," he added.

Presiding over the meeting, JSD President Noor Alam Ziku said killing, arson, rape, abduction and corruption have become a common phenomenon in the society.

"Country's education, health and others service-oriented sectors have broken down and both domestic and foreign investors are losing their interest to invest here, " he added.

He urged all progressive political parties, professional groups and mass people to be united in order to establish a truly democratic country.

Former minister Shafiqul Gani Swapan, Dr Jafrullah Chowdhury, Dr Tofael Ahmed and Dr Abdul Khaleque also spoke.

Earlier in the morning, the JSD leaders placed wreath on the graves of late founder member Major MA Jalil, Mohammad Shahjahan and Kazi Aref Ahmed.