Both the ruling Awami League and the major opposition party in tne Jatiya Sangsad. BNP. have softened their stance., signaling a solution to Ihe stalemate in the House caused by the latter's abstention Irani attending the session.

Talking to The Dally Star last night, leaders of both the. sides expressed their desire to resolve the main issues that created the stalemate. The BNP has been demanding what it calls neutrality of the Speaker in running the House and impartial coverage of the proceedings by the Bangladesh Televi-

•sion (BTV).

The leaders also showed eagerness to ensure thal Parliament sits with members of both the benches when its first session of the new year begins on January 15 next.

BNP walked out of the House on November 10. the fourth working day of the last session

to press its 10-point demand which include "neutral" role of the Speaker and the BTV and halting ’’repression" on its workers. Later, the party came down to only three demands — neutrality of the Speaker, fair coverage by the BTV and release of detained party workers.

Asked if his party would initiate any fresh dialogue to bring BNP back to the House. Parliamentary Affairs Adviser to the Prime Minister and AL leader Suranjit Sengupta said. "Hundred times...We're already in contact with them. The informal contacts are being estab fished at all levels of the BNP."

About the outcome of the contacts. Suranjit said. "We're getting positive response... We nope they will return to the Parliament and won't do any politics on the issue”.

The Awami League leader, however, declined to elaborate BNP Secretary General Abdul Mannan Bhuiya MP. when contacted said his party is ready to Join the forthcoming session of the Parliament if the government assures neutrality of the Speaker and fair coverage of the proceedings by the BTV.

"We’re ready to go back to the parliament as soon as the government accepts our demands". Mannan Bhuiyan told the correspondent.

Asked to comment on Prime Minister and Leader of the House Sheikh Hasina's recent call to the BNP to return to the Parliament, the BNP leader said. "Let her assure us that the Parliament would be run neutrally and the TV cover the sittings fairly.”

Tie said no to another ques tton if his party received any fresh offer for dialogue. But he hastened to add. ”1 don't find It worthy to open a fresh bargaining on our demands. Our demands are already there for the government to accept."

Commenting on Mannan Bhuiyan's demand for assurance of neutrality of the Speaker and the BTV, Suranjit said. "Why not? We're ready to make such an announcement. We're ready to ensure that the deliberations by the opposition lawmakers will be covered fairly by the electronic media including the television.''

The ruling party leader thought that the Opposition should be given more time In the House and for this the length of the working hours should also be extended.

But as regards the Speaker s role, he said. "How can 1 say that the Speaker is not neutral? He is definitely neutral. They are always welcome to raise any question about the Chair's role. For this, they must come to dia logue since dialogue between the ruling party and the Opposition Is a must In a parliamentary democracy to allow the parliament function effectively."

Political observers say. the coming session of the Parliament will be very crucial since the historic Bangladesh-India water Beaty and several important bills are expected to be placed in the House.