They also said that the youths of the country have potential to ensure a better tomorrow for all.

The National Youth Forum of Bangladesh (NYFB) and the daily Bhorer Kagoj jointly organised the roundtable titled 'Election related thoughts of youth and the future of Bangladesh' at the National Press Club in the city yesterday.

Presenting the keynote paper, NYFB President Dr GM Rabbani Nayan said that the youths of Bangladesh always have the potential to bring about positive changes in society.

Citing the role of youths in historical movements of 1952, 1971 and 1990, he said they still can play a vital role in nation building braving all odds.

He said there are around four crore young men and women in the country and the number would go up to seven crore by 2020. If their spirit can be harnessed properly, Bangladesh must be developed very soon, he added.

He also blamed the major political parties for making the politics dirty.

Former BNP lawmaker Jahir Uddin Swapan said politicians are responsible for all the evil in the country.

"Things cannot go on in the same way as in the past. We have to prevent all bad things and at the same time we have to guard against political opportunism," he said.

He also called on all to utilise the present opportunity to bring about qualitative changes in politics.

Awami League leader Dr Dipu Mani said the AL-led 14-party's 23-point national programme includes 12 programmes, which are directly related to the development of youth.

Awami Jubo League leader Sazzad Haider Liton, Chief Reporter of The Daily Star Zayadul Ahsan, and Close Up-1 star Abid also spoke at the roundtable moderated by Shyamal Datta, editor of the Bhorer Kagoj.