The- ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party has invited the Opposition to a meeting this morning to discuss the stalemate caused by their boycott of Parliament, reports UNB.

The invitation was sent to opposition group leaders by BNP Secretary General Abdus Salam Talukar.

The Opposition leaders, in a sharp reaction last night, rejected the invitation terming it “a farce".

Salam Talukdar in his letter Invited the Opposition leaders to meet at Committee Room No. 2 of the Sangsad Bhavan at 10 am today “to discuss the situation arising out of the absence of opposition members from Parliament".

The brief letter was sent yesterday evening in the ruling party's letterhead.

Opposition Chief Whip Mohammad Nasim turned down the invitation of the BNP Secretary General saying the question of. attending such a meeting does not arise at all.

Giving his reaction to UNB last night. Nasim questioned the wisdom of calling the meeting by the BNP Secretary General on a crisis relating Jo Parliament.

Besides, he said the move will not yield any result when the entire Opposition had made Its stand clear that they would not go to Parliament until and unless the government brought a bill providing for a caretaker government.

This meaningless initiative is designed to sidetrack the main issue and create confusion in the minds of the people." he added.

Rejecting the invitation. Jatiya Party leader Maudud Ahmed said the invitation letter is "nothing but a farce" in view of the firm stand taken by his party along with other Opposition in Parliament on the question of an interim government.

"We do not understamd what is the meaning and pur pose of writing such a letter. It shows that the government has failed to understand the seriousness and gravity of the Issue and the situation ... It only speaks of their incompetence and lack of leadership in resolving the Issue." Maudud said

He questioned the authority of the BNP Secretary General in convening a meeting which essentially concerned Parlia- ment and tt* members.

NDP leader Salahuddirf Quader Choudhury said. Tm shocked by the attitude demonstrated by this kind of a circular. I Cannot imagine that he (Talukdarkcould expect any political element to respond to such a circular."

"It Is most unfortunate that the present crisis is being aggravated by such Irresponsible acts on behalf of the government." he added.

"We are not going to the meeting", Jamaat spokesman Abdul Kader Mollah said.