A new political platform of 15 parties called 'progressive Islamic alliance' was formally launched today.

Former lawmaker and Islamic Democratic Party Chairman MA Awal, who is leading the new alliance, came up with the announcement during a press conference at the Jatiya Press Club in the capital today.

Speaking at the press conference, Awal urged the Election Commission to hold a fair, neutral and participatory elections.

Nurul Islam Khan, coordinator of the newly formed alliance, said, "BNP and Jamaat have announced not to join the upcoming election under this government, but the people of Bangladesh are not responding to their demands."

He said the new coalition will join the upcoming national polls under this government and the Election Commission.

The parties in the new alliance are Islamic Democratic Party, Nezame Islam Bangladesh, Bangladesh Public Freedom League, Bangladesh Tarikat Front, Bangladesh Nationalist Janata Party, Islamic Liberal Party, Bangladesh Islamic Democratic League, and others.