Resignation from the party and parliament by Abdul Mannan, a retired army major, and Mahi B Chowdhury, would figure prominently in the BNPPP meeting, sources in the party hinted.

Prime Minister and BNP chief Khaleda Zia will lay down the guidelines for her deputies at the meeting to thwart anti-government movement by opposition political parties and also by two alternative political platforms led by former president AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury and eminent lawyer Dr Kamal Hossain.

The main opposition Awami League has declared that it will force the coalition government to step down by April 30. The ruling BNP has dismissed the threat, saying the incumbent government will not stand down from office until the end of its five-year term.

BNP held its parliamentary party meeting on January 21 for the third time in two and a half years on coming to office after the general elections in 2001. The meeting was adjourned indefinitely and is scheduled to resume today at 12:00noon in the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.