They urged the caretaker government to announce a specific timeframe for holding the stalled parliamentary elections as early as possible.

BNP central committee member and former commerce minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and AL Presidium Member Kazi Zafarullah were taking part at a discussion titled 'Bangladesh Sanglap' at the Bangladesh China Friendship Conference Centre in the city.

BBC Bangla Service and BBC World Service Trust organised the debate programme moderated by senior producer of BBC Bangla Service Kamal Ahmed.

"The state of emergency should not continue more than 120 days according to the constitutional provision and there should be a specific timeframe for holding the next general election," said Zafarullah, adding that the interim government should take necessary steps to hold the election within the stipulated 90 days.

Khosru Chowdhury said, "No government can continue for an indefinite period and the election is a must for the continuation of democracy."

He said apprehension might be created if this government continues its tenure for long.

Echoing the remarks made by Khosru and Zafarullah, former adviser to caretaker government Sultana Kamal said the interim government has no policy-making authority.

She urged the government to make public what they want to do.

But another panellist Ilyas Kanchan, a popular actor and campaigner for Road Safety, said before holding the election it is important to bring the corrupt politicians to book and for this reason the government may take time to hold the election.

In reply to a question, both the BNP and AL leaders appreciated the ongoing drive against corrupt people and said alongside the politicians, the corrupt bureaucrats, businessmen and other professionals need to be netted.

They said steps are also being taken to reform their parties.

About the proposed internationalisation of Chittagong sea port, the discussants said it should be modernised through increasing efficiency in the port management rather than handing over it to any private or international organisation.