Resignation of commerce minister demanded

Addressing a meeting in the city, they also asked the government to expel all ministers and lawmakers of Rajshahi region for 'assisting and giving shelters' to Islamist militants including Bangla Bhai.

The 11-party leaders said from the confessional statement of Mufti Hannan it is now clear that the militant groups have strengthened their position with the assistance of alliance government and its ministers.

Taking the advantage of government's negative stance on August 17 blasts across the country, the militant groups have again dared to carry out bombings in the courtrooms of three districts, they added.

Party leaders Rashed Khan Menon, Nurul Islam, Bimol Biswas, Mofizul Islam Khan, Dilip Borua, Abdus Samad and Zakir Hossain spoke at the meeting.