May 26, 2002	Sunday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 13,1423

DHAKA, May 25: Bangladesh’s opposition party, Awami League, which has been boycotting the house since October 1 general elections, is yet undecided over its role in the forthcoming budget session.

The budget session is scheduled to begin on June 4.

Earlier on May 7, the AL’s central working committee (CWC) had discussed the issue, but deferred any decision till the return of Sheikh Hasina Wajed from the United States.

Sheikh Hasina, who returned home on Thursday, is likely to decide about her party’s role in the budget session shortly at the CWC’s meeting.

On arrival, Hasina told newsmen that her party would join the parliament “only when there is a favourable atmosphere”.

She also expressed her doubts whether her party MPs would be allowed to speak in the parliament.

Analysts say that the ruling BNP has nothing to lose by making a formal proposal for a dialogue with the opposition — an issue that had for long been demanded by the Awami League.