Political leaders in a discussion today put emphasis on national unity and urged the interim government to complete the reform of the state within the quickest possible time in view of the people's aspiration.

"We know that state reform is a long-term task, but it should be done quickly," said Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party Convener AFM Solaiman Chowdhury while presiding over the discussion at the Dhaka Reporters' Unity (DRU) here.

AB Party Member Secretary Mujibur Rahman Manju moderated the discussion titled "One month of the interim government: how were the days, how those could be". 

BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Nagarik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna, 12-Party Alliance chief Mostafa Jamal Haider, noted political scientist Dr Dilara Chowdhury, Biplabi Workers' Party General Secretary Comrade Saiful Haque and Ganosanhati Andolan Chief Coordinator Zonayed Saki addressed the discussion, among others. 

The AB Party chief said the interim government has done an important task by releasing the political leaders and activists who were jailed in false cases by the ousted autocratic government.

After assuming the office, this government is dealing with different problems, including floods, Solaiman said, adding, "We extending all-out support to them and will do so In Sha Allah".

He hoped that the interim government will take into account the aspirations of the people of the country and create an environment for holding free and fair general elections as soon as possible to give back the voting rights of the people through handing over the power to a democratic government.

Addressing the discussion, BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said the country's people have got a new independent country following a lot of sacrifices and now they can speak freely. 

"We have got an independent and free country following a lot of sacrifices. We can now speak in a free environment. None including the journalist community has any fear," he said. 

Putting emphasis on upholding this free environment, the senior BNP leader said, "We have to understand the change in the people's mindset that has come after Sheikh Hasina fled the country. Bangladesh's people now want to get back their political, constitutional and democratic rights completely".

The people want a free environment and a level playing field for all, Chowdhury said. 

Noting that 65 percent of the country's population is below 35 years, he said, "We have to understand the thoughts of that 65 percent people. Those who will fail to understand them would have no much space in politics in future".

He underscored the need for national unity to take forward the state reform works with collective efforts and said, "There is no alternative to national unity to resist the force that has destroyed the country politically, economically and socially".

Nagarik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna said many political parties have already placed hundreds of proposals to the interim government, but the government has to determine the basic need of the country and the people.

"If you cannot determine that, you will not be able to move forward properly," he said, adding that the interim government should not talk about any controversial issue.

Political scientist Dr Dilara Chowdhury said many people want to term the interim government as a revolutionary one, but it is actually a post-mass uprising government as this government is following the existing constitution. 

Putting emphasis on activating the police to maintain the law and order situation, she said, "Police are not fully active yet. There is no alternative to activating the police to establish the rule of law".

She also suggested holding the trial of every killing, enforced disappearance and wrongdoing took place during the last 15 years of fascist regime.

"We want a democratic state and a humane country where the rights of citizens will never be curtailed," she said.

Biplabi Workers' Party General Secretary Comrade Saiful Haque urged the government to take the responsibility of families of the workers who were killed and bear the expense of treatment of the workers injured during the student-people uprising.

Ganosanhati Andolan Chief Coordinator Zonayed Saki said one month is not enough to evaluate a government. 

"We should evaluate whether we are fulfilling our duty to the martyrs. Still the cries of the wounded shock us," he added. 

He said this government should understand the unique role of the students who sacrificed their lives for the nation. This government must bring the perpetrators of mass killing to book, Saki added. 

Rashtra Sanskar Andolan Chief Coordinator Advocate Hasnat Quaiyum, Gono Odhikar Parishad Convener Colonel (Rted) Miah Mohammad Mashiuzzaman, Islami Andolan Bangladesh Presidium Member Ashraf Ali Akanda, Gono Forum General Secretary Subrata Chowdhury, Khelafat Majlis Secretary General Dr Ahmed Abdul Quader, Jatiyatabadi Samamona Jote Chief Dr Fariduzzaman Farhad and AB Party Joint Conveners Professor Dr Major (Retd) Abdul Wahab Minar and BM Nazmul Haque also spoke at the discussion, among others.