An adviser of the caretaker government yesterday hinted a progress ofthemuch-taiked-about dialogue between the government and political parties in a couple of days

LGRD Adviser Anwarul Iqbal, without specifying any date, affirmed that the chief adviser (CA) will address the nation by May8.

The address is expected to clarify the government stance on the dialogue, lifting of emergency and the general elections.

Asked whether representatives from the army will be present at the formal dialogue, Iqbal, talking to journalists at the Secretariat, expressed ignorance about it, saying he read about it in newspapers.

His cabinet colleague Commerce Adviser Hossain Zillur Rahman said.

"1 cannot give anything in details now. You'll be Informed duly when any decision Is reached "

Awa mi League presidium member Suranjit Sengupta and BNP chairperson's adviser Brig (Retd) ASM Hannan Shah said army representatives should be present during the formal dialogue.

Zillur, who along with four other advisers including Anwarul Iqbal, was involved on April 7-28 pre-dialogue talks with political par ties, business community and civil society, was also talking to reporters at the Secretariat

"The preparation for the dialogue is on. We hope we'll be able to enter the next stage soon."

Asked about date of the formal dialogue, Zillur said the CA's press secretary has already spoken about the matter.