The common programme and fresh agitation against the four-party coalition government will be declared from a grand rally at Paltan Maidan on November 22.

The opposition subcommittee tasked with preparing a draft of the programme yesterday discussed the issues and decided to meet again after the Eid-ul-Fitr.

Chaired by Rashed Khan Menon, president of the Workers Party of Bangladesh and convenor of the subcommittee, the meeting suggested that the 14-party would strengthen the progressive democratic forces against the rising communal politics in the country.

In the national programme the combined opposition may pledge that the components will not keep any person having criminal records in the party, meeting sources said.

Besides, they are discussing the proposal to make pledges to reopen state-owned mills and factories and reinstate the workers in their previous jobs.

Yesterday's meeting also discussed the price hike of essentials and decided that the opposition will identify the reasons behind the price spiral and find out ways to contain it.

"We are in a process of formulating the minimum common programme for not only change of power, but for a qualitative change in state functioning," Menon said after the meeting.

Members of the committee and AL leaders Abdul Jalil, Suranjit Sengupta, Samyabadi Dal leader Dilip Barua, Gono Forum leader Saifuddin Ahmed Manik and Pankaj Bhattacharya, JSD leader Hasanul Haq Inu, Sharif Nurul Ambia and Workers Party leader Bimal Biswas were present at the meeting held at the Workers' Party office.

Meanwhile, the subcommittee has started discussion with professional bodies to incorporate their suggestions into the common national programme. A meeting with women leaders was held on Sunday and more such meetings will be held after the Eid.