The government officials' political loyalty is now a factor in deciding who will get promotion and this trend has created a crisis in the administration, they observed.

The promotion of government officials now totally depends on whether they could serve the interest of the ruling party, said Gono Forum President Dr Kamal Hossain as the chief guest.

"Executive power should be exercised only for the interest of the people, not of any particular party," he said.

Peshajibi Samannay Parishad, a forum of professionals, organised the seminar on 'Politicisation of administration: Crisis and its remedy' at the National Press Club in Dhaka.

That the majority can do whatever they wish is totally against the spirit of democracy, Dr Kamal said, adding that winning an election does not mean that a party has invaded the country.

The parliament can't play its due role because it has turned into a party's place, he said.

Awami League leader and former finance minister AMA Muhit said the most politicised sectors are the secretariat, police and district administration.

It is not possible to serve the interest of the people with the present police administration, he said.

Convenor of the forum Barrister Rokanuddin Mahmud said the politicisation of the administration has reached such a level that a government official must have to be loyal to the ruling party to get a promotion.

Dr Kamrul Hasan Khan presented a keynote paper at the seminar.

Dr Abdur Razzak MP, Prof Abul Barakat of Dhaka University, Prof Arefin Siddique and Prof Ali Ashraf also spoke.