They are already in a process to join hands against what they peg as misrule, slide in law and order and rise of fundamentalism under the four-party coalition government of Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.

On the sidelines of an iftar party on November 18, six opposition youth fronts had a preliminary discussion on exploring the possibility of a 'Youth Movement Council' to collectively fight the 'misrule'.

Leaders of the Jubo Union, Jubo Gono Forum, Jubo Moitree, Jubo Oikya and Jubo Samity joined the party responding to the Awami Jubo League's invitation.

On November 19, leaders of the AL-backed Chhatra League (BCL), Bangladesh Chhatra Union (BCU), Bangladesh Chhatra Moitree and Samajbadi Chhatra Jote joined the JSD-backed Chhatra League at its office to take iftar and discuss strategies.

The meetings of the opposition fronts took place on the heels of a meeting between the BNP's student front Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) and Jamaat-backed Islami Chhatra Shibir (ICS) who vowed to resist conspiracy against the government.

Asked to comment on the probable unity, AL General Secretary Abdul Jalil said: "Yes, our front and associate organisations are working to the same goal -- forming unity."

He said grounds for a stepped up anti-government movement were in the making.

Jalil had earlier told the press that his party wanted to see a change of government by March or April next year, much ahead of the five-year tenure of the present government.

On several occasions, Leader of the Opposition Sheikh Hasina sought mid-term elections.

JSD leader Hasanul Haq Inu, who has been leading a unity process among anti-government political parties since July, found in the unity moves undertaken by opposition student and youth organisations a very positive development.

Inu said a unity among the youth and student fronts would act as a springboard for greater opposition cohesion and an all-out anti-government movement.