Other areas of the movement to be launched from a national convention will focus on the governance of the country in line with the constitution and separation of the judiciary.

Now forging a wide platform under the Oikya Prochesta, an alternative civil society organisation, Dr Kamal at a press conference also called for national efforts to deal what in his words was a raft of problems facing Bangladesh.

"We are in a way to form a national platform by January next year to find ways to protect the country's constitution and make it active," he said, accusing the elected rulers of violating the constitution and pegging them as the failed servants of people.

"Our appeal for people is to unite -- to become what I call the first force, the main force, which the constitution recognises when it says all power belongs to people," he said.

"This is the main force that must give direction to the country and to those who would govern it as elected representatives," he said.

Dr Kamal emphasised making democracy functional and said the only way to combat lawlessness, violence and corruption is national unity.

On former president Badruddoza Chowdhury's similar call, Dr Kamal invited him to join his convention, saying: "We welcome all initiatives of prominent citizens who work to uphold the constitution."

"There is nothing covert in our initiatives. Badruddoza Chowdhury is frank, so am I."

But he refused to bond with any party harbouring communal politics and criticised dynastic rule.

On unity with the main opposition Awami League, Dr Kamal said it would be encouraged to join the platform and on top of that it was ready too to join forces with any party or platform that would come up with identical objectives.

In a sideswipe at ministers, Dr Kamal blamed them for failing to "discharge their duties and denying the reality" like near-famine locally known as monga that swept northern districts.

"They do not provide any satisfactory explanation nor do they vacate office," he said.

Corruption continues to widen its base and toll-taking weakens the economy in a widespread malpractice that is now close to becoming institutionalised, he said.

"Investigations into major acts of lawlessness failed to produce the desired result. The seizure of huge ammunition in Bogra, recent seizure of arms in Dhaka and countless other major crimes as in Mohalchhari in the CHT and more recently in Banshkhali point to the gravity of the situation," he said.

He blamed the government for violating the constitution, which he said was the root cause of the present 'unwanted' situation.

He expressed concern over the recent rift between Speaker Jamir Uddin Sircar and Deputy Speaker Akhtar Hamid Siddiqui.

Apparently angry at the state-owned BTV for its absence in the press conference at the National Press Club, Dr Kamal blasted the electronic media for airing what he dubbed as its biased coverage.

Political and civil society leaders Saifuddin Ahmed Manik, Shamsuddoha, Fazlur Rahman, Matin Chowdhury, Ajoy Roy and Jahirul Islam were among the participants of the press conference, organised by the Oikya Prochesta.