They stressed the need for evaluation and reforms of political parties to institutionalise democracy.

They also identified religious extremism, poverty and divisive political culture as the major constraints for democratisation.

The conference on 'Rethinking Political Development: South Asian Security and Democracy' was organised jointly by Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS), Bangladesh Political Science Association (BPSA), and Stamford University Bangladesh at BIISS auditorium in the city.

Foreign Minister M Morshed Khan spoke as chief guest at the inaugural session chaired by BIISS Chairman Mufleh R Osmany.

Dr Zillur R Khan, Rosebush University Professor Emeritus, University of Wisconsin, USA delivered the keynote speech while BIISS Director General Maj Gen Muhammad Abdul Matin and Stamford University Professor ATM Zahurul Huq also spoke.

BPSA President Prof Ataur Rahman said the tendency of the political leaders to prefer politics outside parliament has seriously weakened the role of national legislature, while the 'politics of boycott' by the opposition in the face of ruling party's unaccommodating stances has made the very existence of parliament ineffective.

"The performance of Bangladesh Parliament over the past fourteen years has been so poor that people often take it as a 'house of irrelevant speeches'. Even in its own domain of legislation, the power of the parliament is highly circumscribed," he said.

The political parties afflicted by the influence of money and muscle are facing an array of challenges to their ability to perform key functions, Prof Rahman said, adding that it is particularly evident in the electoral process where buying of nominations and patronage of ruthless people are regular features.

The main political parties, particularly Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Awami League (AL) differ on the fundamentals of governance and ideology. There is little communication between them and both look upon each other as adversaries one trying to prosper at the expense of the other, he observed.

Prof Rahman said, "Intra-party environment and inter-party relations are very important in understanding their dynamics of reforms. The institutionalisation of democratic process within parties may lead to some positive changes, otherwise, the task of reforming the parties remains a mirage."

Each party should have a 'code of conduct' for its members and violators should be taken to tasks in terms of disciplinary measures. In this context, formal evaluation of party leaders and activists may be made, he suggested.

Morshed Khan said, "Our political culture and behaviour still have to adjust and adapt to democratic norms and values. Unfortunately this task is made even more difficult as vested interests seek to tarnish the liberal democratic endeavour and image of Bangladesh."

Bangladesh is ironically often misunderstood in the international arena despite her achievements in economic, health and social sectors, he lamented.

On political reforms, Dr Zillur R Khan suggested 14th amendment of the constitution incorporating the provision of a second house that could be a viable option for Bangladesh considering the periodic boycotts of the opposition in a unicameral parliament and increasing difficulty in achieving consensus on national goals.

Citing that 90 percent of legislatures in the world are bicameral, he said such a structural change with greater representation of women and other interest groups in the upper house might help create a basis for constructive dialogues among stakeholders in government and opposition for solving myriad of other problems.

On regional security, Dr Zillur suggested that South Asian nations might consider setting up a Joint Intelligence Commission within Saarc framework to monitor the intelligence reports that are often exaggerated beyond reality.

In any crises both RAW and ISI were eager to provide incendiary intelligence without being sure of their reliability, but unfortunately their prejudiced assessments could easily turn into self-fulfilling prophesies, he noted.