The opposition parties are ready to sit for a dialogue any day if the ruling parly comes up with a specific agenda and announces it publicly. Opposition sources said.

"We are ready for a dialogue but the ruling party should specify the agenda and an-nounce^f publicly or inform us in writing." Chief Whip of the Opposition Mohammad Nasim told The Daily Star last night.

’’I was requested by my ruling party counterpart to join a dialogue on the present political impasse. I told him to specify the agenda." Nasim said.

The caretaker government issue should top the agenda of the proposed dialogue. Nasim demanded.

Earlier. Deputy Leader of Parliament Prof Badruddoza Chowdhury told reporters that the ruling party was ready to hold dialogue on a two-point

agenda — the caretaker issue and l he treasury bench bill for strengthening the Election Commission.

An Awami League source said the party's central work ing committee endorsed the proposal for a dialogue but made it clear that the caretaker issue should be the main item on the agenda.

A meeting of the AL parliamentary party would be held today, ahead of the parliament session beginning August 30.

Leaders of the two major allies of the AL in Parliament boycott and caretaker campaign - the Jatiya Party and Jamaat - were learned to be unaware of any dialogue with the government.

Jamaat's parliamentary party chief Moulana Matiur Rahman Nizami said that he was not informed about the rnuch-talked-about dialogue.

"1 have not been communi-

rated anything. 1 think the ruling party is not serious about resolving the crisis." Nizami told The Dally Star.

He said that his party was always in favour of a dialogue on specific issues to end the political stalemate.

A JP source said the party •was least interested in any dialogue.

The ruling party has been propagating for a dialogue but at the same time started harassing and repressing the JP leaders and workers.” one source said pointing to the August 23 incident at Pan-thapath In the city.

The boycotting opposition parties will meet tomorrow to discuss the overall situation.

Ruling party sources earlier hinted that they were hopeful about a formal dialogue with the Opposition within a couple of days.