The Jatiya Sangsad sits after an 11-day recess with the main opposition unbent on its boycott decision and the BNP smarting from the defection of two party lawmakers.

The BNP Parliamentary Party (BNPPP) meeting, adjourned until January 21, is set to be held on March 21 with the indications of some crucial guidelines from the party leadership to lawmakers to face the opposition, sources in the key ruling party hinted.

Resignation from the party and parliament by former army major Abdul Mannan and Mahi B Chowdhury will figure in the BNPPP meeting where Prime Minister Khaleda Zia will unveil plans for her deputies to face the opposition and the alternative political stream led by former president Badruddoza Chowdhury, sources said.

The BNP adjourned its third parliamentary party meeting after taking office in October ballot in 2001 for an indefinite period.

"The meeting might take a long time as legislators want to express their opinions in running the state," a ruling party whip told The Daily Star.

The government is also planning to table a constitution amendment bill in the current session to introduce 45 reserved seats of the Jatiya Sangsad for women.

The bill is likely to be passed without the main opposition's participation as the Awami League (AL) has already rejected the proposed amendment bill and turned down an offer of dialogue with the government.

The speedy trial (amendment) bill seeking two years extension of the legislation is likely to get passed by the House today, parliament secretariat sources said.

The parliamentary stand-off because of the prolonged boycott by the AL is likely to continue, political analysts said.

Opposition Deputy Leader Abdul Hamid will reply to the government overtures after discussing the issue with Sheikh Hasina.

"I will seek advice of the leader of the opposition before replying to Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan,'' Hamid told The Daily Star yesterday.

BNP Secretary General Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan on Saturday asked Hamid to return to parliament by telephone and offered dialogue to break the parliamentary stalemate.

AL General Secretary Abdul Jalil turned down the offer, saying: "It's too late to invite us to negotiating tables. We're determined to dislodge the government by next April."

The AL, which has been boycotting parliament since June 25 last year, is now trying to add zest to its anti-government agitation.

The current session will run until March 30 according to the decision of the business advisory committee. The current session that began on January 18 has already sat on 26 workdays.