Main opposition Awami League (AL) lawmakers will join the budget session of parliament next month to save their membersliip, as they are moving closer to their 90-day absence from the Jatiya Sangsad.

The latest development in opposition politics came after the much-

hyped April 30 deadline for unseating tire government fell flat, dimming the possibility of tough street agitation in the months ahead.

Leader of the Opposition Sheikh Hasina told the private news agency, UNB, that she asked her party lawmakers to join parliament before expiry of the absence limit. The budget session will follow the current session, scheduled to end on May 17.

The AL has been boycotting the House for 62 straight days of sittings since June 25 last year, tagging a three-point demand, including apology from a state minister for his "derogatory" remarks against Hasina as preconditions for a comeback.

Some lawmakers were out of the session for up to 78 days: Mustafizur Rahman did not attend the House for 78 days, Mirza Azam for 77 days, Hasina for 70 days and Ahsanullah Master for 69 days.

The constitution says seats of lawmakers will stand vacated if they remain absent from parliament without the leave of the House for 90 consecutive sitting days.

FRUSTRATION WITHIN

AL leaders and workers plunged into frustration as the antigovernment deadline, set for the coalition to step down in the wake of its 'failure' to clear up crime and corruption, fizzled out.

"We need more time to regain morale. The deadline backfired and has pushed the oust-government movement a year back," said a senior AL leader, who spoke only on condition that he not be identified.

But AL General Secretary Abdul Jalil, who predicted the fall of the coalition by April 30, differed: "We are out in the antigovernment movement and next programmes will be announced shortly."

The deadline what political analysts called a misstep triggered fresh problems within the opposition. Although the party chief said the movement did not fail and would continue in earnest, most other leaders favoured a lull in street

agitation - at least for the time being.

Party leaders fear a major internal feud at a time when the activists have little confidence in its leaders.

The concern came to a head after Jalil drew flak from his party colleagues in the April 30 meeting of the central working committee over the deadline. Hasina, who instructed Jalil to set the deadline, came to his rescue and said the issue could be discussed later blow by blow.

At least five AL Central Working Committee (ALCWC) members sought clarification from their general secretary on the intent of the deadline and its failure.

The leaders alleged that Jalil unilaterally announced the deadline without discussion at any party forum and accused him of misleading the media with information that the ALCWC approved the ultimatum.

UNB adds:

Hasina said: "I asked all my party MPs to join parliament and sign the attendance book anytime they like before expiry of the 90-day limit of absence."

She said that after joining parliament, her party lawmakers would try to speak in the House, but would come out again if not allowed to do so. "This example was set by Khaleda Zia herself (while in opposition)," Hasina said.

On whether the AL lawmakers would resign from parliament, Hasina said: "Why will we resign? It is the prime minister who must resign. People no longer want her in power; rather, they want us. We will not allow anyone to cash in on vacation of seats."