BNP sources said during the meeting at Hawa Bhaban that lasted about two hours, Roushan expressed her willingness to join the BNP-led alliance.

The meeting discussed the latest political situation as well as strategies for contesting the upcoming election, the sources added.

"We visited Hawa Bhaban and met Khaleda Zia under the leadership of Roushan Ershad," JP leader Ismail Hossain Bengal told The Daily Star last night.

Ismail said the alliance decision may come today. "We also believe in Islamic values," he added.

Roushan Ershad led the seven-member team that also included Syeda Razia Fayez, Mainuddin Bhuiyan, Sheikh Shawkat Hossain Nilu, Fakhrul Imam and Advocate Farhad.

The meeting that started at 9:00pm lent credence to speculations of the past few days that Roushan might break away from the JP to side with the BNP-led four-party alliance.

Earlier on Sunday, JP Chairman HM Ershad formally joined the Awami League-led grand electoral alliance at a rally at the Paltan Maidan.

Sources said Roushan and her close aides in the party tried to influence Ershad in the last few months to join the four-party alliance.