"We heard their (JP) problems and will try to resolve them,'' Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan told newspersons after a meeting with the JP parliamentary party yesterday.

Mannan Bhuiyan and Minister for Health Khandakar Mosharraf Hossain invited the JP lawmakers to a meeting with them. JP legislators led by Raushan Ershad attended it.

The ministers heard their demands and assured them of taking necessary steps.

Lawmakers of the JP staged a walkout from the Sangsad on Monday protesting a deputy minister's remarks against legislators from Rangpur and alleged anomalies in relief distribution in the monga-hit areas. The JP demanded that the minister apologise for his remarks.

After the meeting yesterday, JP lawmakers hinted that Mannan Bhuiyan will urge them from the House today to return to it. He will also say sorry on behalf of the deputy minister.

"If the government does so, we will return to the House tomorrow (Wednesday),'' JP legislator GM Quader said at a press briefing at the Sangsad Bhaban.

At the meeting yesterday, the JP also raised allegations of indecent remarks by State Minister for Housing and Public Works Alamgir Kabir against the party lawmakers from northern districts.