Ismail Hossain Negahban and Sushanta Ghosh, president and secretary of BRU and Swapan Khondokar, secretary of BMUJ, said the district administration invited all journalists to take part in the programme at 5:30pm.

But after waiting as of 7:00pm, when a large number of journalists from local and national print and electronic media entered the hall, they saw on the banner that the programme was arranged only for the members of Barisal Press Club.

In protest, the BRU and BMUJ members left the venue.

Only Meherunnessa Babul, ward commissioner and president of Barisal Press Club and Kazi Russel, executive editor of local daily Ajker Barta, who are wife and son of Kazi Babul, former president of Ajker Barta who is serving prison sentence and close aide of top corrupt Giasuddin Mamun, attended the programme with their fellow members.

While talking to the members of Barisal Press Club, the adviser said the caretaker government has no desire to stay in power for long.

About the arrest of Sheikh Hasina, he claimed that it is a legal process and the government has no role in it.

Earlier, a leaflet was distributed by unidentified lawyers calling on legal practitioners to boycott the programme of the adviser.

However, office-bearers and members of the District Bar Association attended the programme.