Earlier in the morning, a JP presidium meeting finalised a set of proposals to table at the dialogue with Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. At the meeting, members of the presidium unanimously decided to make an accusation against ruling coalition partner Jamaat of patronising the militants, said a presidium member seeking anonymity.

Immediately after learning about the JP proposals, the PMO officials communicated with the party top brass and said they would better not attend the dialogue with such proposals that include among others the accusation of militancy against Jamaat, said JP sources.

Considering the probable fallout of worsening relations with the government especially when a dozen cases are pending against Ershad, the party bowed to the pressure and toned down the language of the proposals.

"We don't want to attribute blame to anyone before an investigation," Ershad, also a former president, told reporters after the talks with the prime minister.

"Allegation of patronising the militants has been levelled at a component of the four-party alliance. The government should act to probe it," JP Chairman Ershad was quoted as telling the prime minister by a meeting source.

In reply, Khaleda Zia said it is not reasonable to take action against anyone until the accusation against him is proved, added the source.

Earlier on the first day of the dialogue, Krishak Sramik Janata League of Kader Siddiqui accused Jamaat-e-Islami of bearing links to the militants and proposed the prime minister purge the party from the government.

The government high-ups felt extremely embarrassed at Siddiqui's suggestions and took the precaution of restraining JP from doing the same yesterday, said a source at the PMO.

Meanwhile, the last-minute change in the proposals split the JP high-ups, resulting in Firoz Rashid, political adviser to the party chairman, withdrawing himself from the delegation to the dialogue, said the JP source.

Firoz Rashid however told The Daily Star last night that he skipped the talks on personal grounds.

After over an hour dialogue held at the PMO, Ershad told reporters that the prime minister said the government will take stern action if anybody is found involved in militancy.

The other participant in yesterday's dialogue, Council for National Agenda (Can), also suggested the government properly investigate the allegations against some of the ruling alliance members of connection with the militants.

The prime minister told the delegation that her government has taken the matter seriously and measures will be taken to this end, Can leaders told reporters after the meeting.

Former chief election commissioner Justice Abdur Rouf led the Can delegation, which also proposed that a special session of the Jatiya Sangsad should be summoned to discuss the militancy issue.

JP PROPOSAL
The JP placed a nine-point proposal to the prime minister, proposing a number of national committees to be formed to stop militancy.

Explaining the proposal for a judicial probe body headed by the chief justice, Ershad said the high-powered judicial commission would investigate whether an international conspiracy is behind the militancy.

"It will also look into whether any section of the government or any component of the four-party alliance or anyone outside the alliance is involved in the militancy," read the written proposals.

"The government will have to trace the sources of the militancy, their finance and training," the proposals say.

The party also asked the government to take assistance from the countries that also are faced with the similar situation.

It suggested further the prime minister form a national advisory committee drawing representatives from all political parties, professional bodies and civil society for suggestions on how to tackle the menace of militancy.

The prime minister will lead the committee while the leader of the opposition or any leader of the opposition party will be the co-ordinator of the national body.

About the proposals placed by the political parties and professional bodies, LGRD and Co-operatives Minister Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan told reporters that after examining those, the government might accept some for implementation.

Describing the bomb terrorism as a national disaster, he said, "We have to resist the bombers politically, socially and administratively."

After the formal discussion, the prime minister spoke separately to HM Ershad and Rawshan Ershad.

Ershad, who met Khaleda Zia after about five years since his deserting the four-party alliance in 2001, however said the dialogue will not be fruitful without the main opposition party.

Referring to his individual meeting with the prime minister, he said nothing political was discussed.

Replying to a query, both the LGRD minister and the JP chairman said there was no discussion whatsoever on JP's joining the ruling alliance.

Leaders of the Jatiya Press Club and pro-government factions of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists and Dhaka Union of Journalists will take part in the dialogue today.