The BNP has sought presidential intervention in "keeping the Jatiya Sangsad operative by allowing the Opposition to play its due role" in the House.

"We've urged the President to do the needful for keeping the parliament operative. Now it's up to him what measures hell take to this end". Opposition Chief Whip Khandakar Delwar Hossain told newsmen at the end of an 80-minute meeting between the President and BNP lawmakers at the Bangabhaban yesterday.

BNP chief and Leader of the Opposition in the Sangsad Begum Khaleda Zia. along with some OO-of her'party MPs.-mer Pfesident Sh aha buddin Ahmed after leading a march from her

Minto Road official residence.

Asked if they had requested the President not to assent to the CHT bills. Delwar Hossain did not give a direct reply. The President has the authority to prorogue and even dissolve the parliament", he noted.

In reply to another question. Delwar said his party was Just abstaining from attending the parliament proceedings following "denial of their right to speak" on amendments to the CHT bills proposed by them.

"We’ll review further developments in the parliament.... We’re ready to go oack there tomorrow provided we're allowed to speak on our amendment proposals-. he said. BNP’s- return to the House was subject to further discussions by the party

lawmakers on fresh developments there, he added.

The BNP lawmakers’ march began at 11.50 am from Minto Road and reached the Bangab-haban some five km awav in an hour. Begum Zia. while leading the march, sometimes went on foot and sometimes by car.

The marchers carried placards inscribed with different slogans against the CHT agreement and the government of Sheikh Hasina. At the forefront of the march. there was a big banner demanding scrapping of the "anti-constitution" CHT accord.

The marchers raised full-throated slogans. They were atyp-Tpiped by-ar-iaige irareber-oi BNP workers and supporters As the marchers reached near the Dainik Bangla Crossing, some of the youths from the march climbed the foot over-bridge. removed from there two banners supporting the peace accord, tore and threw those before the marchers.

The BNP MPs had planned their march and meeting with President soon after their second walkout from the House on Sunday alter the Speaker re jected their demand for allowing discussions on all the 4365 notices, submitted on three hill district council bills.

Since then the BNP MPs have been keeping away from parliament session.

Briefing newsmen in front of the Bangabhaban. Delwar Hossain further said they complained to the President that the BNP lawmakers were not allowed to speak on the floor of the House. They mentioned, in particular, that the Opposition was not given the chance to discuss the proposed amendments to the "anti-constitution" CHT bills, he added.

They also cited to the President different clauses of the CHT accord that "contradict" the Constitution.

Delwar said they also alleged to the President that the Speaker was running the parliament without discussion of things in the Business Advisory Committee. Instead, he con-

sults only the Leader of the House and the ruling party.

Terming their discussion with the President very cordial, the BNP leader quoted the President as saying that he would look into the matter.

Delwar claimed that about 100 BNP MPs were present during the discussion and said one MP of the Jamaat-e-Islami. Kazi Sharnsur Rahman, joined the discussions later.

Meanwhile. Begum Khaleda Zia will address the press at 4 pm today at her Minto Road official residence, said a party press release last night.

UNB adds: A Bangabhaban press release said a delegation of BNP MPs led by Begum Zia called on President Shahabud-din Ahmed yesterday.

The members of the delegation expressed their deep concern over the passing of hill districts council bills alleging that the Constitution of Bangladesh does not treat the Chittagong Hill Tracts as a special area.

They said that they have come to submit their anguish and opinion to the President and hoped that the President look into the matter Judiciously and apply his constitutional right before giving his assent to the bills.

President Shahabuddin gave them a patient hearing and said that he is fully conscious of his constitutional duty and limitation. the release added.