"The ruling BNP must expel Jamaat from politics to save its credibility," said Syed Nazibul Bashar Maizbhandari, chairman of the Bangladesh Dargah-Mazar (shrine) Federation, at a public rally at Muktangan in the city.

"We want to help the government nab the perpetrators of the August 17 bomb blasts," he added.

He said that the Pirs, Mashayekhs and Alems (Islamic leaders and scholars) would withdraw their support from the BNP in the next general election, as "We cannot associate ourselves with those patronising organisations like Jamaat and Ahle Hadith."

"The next parliament will be dominated by the majority of Alem and Mashayekhs," said Syed Habibul Bashar Maizbhandari, the Pir of Maizbhandari Darbar Sharif.

The BNP is losing its political face everyday because of its association with the Jamaat-e-Islami, said Shah Noor-e-Belal, the Pir of Sureswar Darbar Sharif, adding that Jamaat has forced them to take to the streets.

"Though the government has not yet given any explanation regarding the August 17 bomb blast, it is clear to the people who carried out the heinous act," he said.

The federation leaders said they would announce tougher programmes by the end of November.

Munshi Abdul Latif, Mufti Shamsuddoha Bari, Syed Golam Musabbir Hossaini Chishti and Shah Sufi Ahsanuzzaman also spoke at the rally attended by hundreds of followers from different shrines in the country.

Secretary General of Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh Major (Retd.) Abdul Mannan and Mahi B Chowdhury MP expressed solidarity with the demands and movement of the shrine leaders and their followers.