The ruling Awami League agreed in principle on Friday to withdraw its nominees in 30 constituencies, allowing Jatiya Party candidates to compete there.
According to sources present at a meeting between delegations from the two parties last night, the Jatiya Party, the main opposition in parliament, demands easy victories in 40 constituencies.
Awami League leaders will meet with party President Sheikh Hasina on Saturday to get her take on the hotly debated issue, according to insiders from both parties.
Sources added that after she issues her directives, the AL and JP leaders will hold a final meeting and make a formal announcement on Saturday.
AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader led his party delegation to the meeting last night, while JP Secretary General Mujibul Haque Chunnu led his two-man delegation, which included Anisul Islam Mahmud, the party`s senior co-chairman.
According to JP insiders, party Chairman GM Quader did not attend the meeting because he did not want to be blamed if the JP lost the negotiation with the AL.
In order to give the impression that the polls are participatory, the AL also wants all 290 JP nominees to run in the election.
The JP currently has 27 members of parliament.
The matter needs to be resolved today because tomorrow is the deadline for nomination papers to be withdrawn.
The 12th parliamentary election of Bangladesh is scheduled to be held on January 7.
