Sources said BNP Secretary General Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan hinted at the dialogue that his party might soften its stance on resolving first the issue of Justice Hasan who is supposed to take office as the next caretaker government head on October 28.

The AL-led 14-party combine has long been opposed to his taking over as the chief of the next interim government.

Coming out of around an hour-long one-to-one dialogue at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, Bhuiyan and AL General Secretary Abdul Jalil in a joint news conference declared that they hope they will be able to arrive at a consensus.

"The discussions will continue, and we will be able to work out a fair solution if all of you continue to support us," Bhuiyan told the press gathering.

Echoing the view, Jalil said: "We are continuing the discussion to create a proper atmosphere for the conduct of a free and fair election to advance the democratic process."

The talks will resume tomorrow morning at the same place, declared the leaders adding that the negotiations so far have been cordial.

Sources said at one point during yesterday's discussions, Bhuiyan, also LGRD and cooperatives minister, wanted to know from Jalil whom do they prefer in Hasan's place.

In reply, the AL general secretary said the government side should first affirm that they will accept the opposition's demand for a consensus appointment to the post of chief adviser.

He also told his ruling party counterpart that a person acceptable to all parties could be appointed to head the next caretaker government through discussions, added the sources.

The LGRD minister told Jalil that he would sit with the prime minister to discuss the matter and let him know about it at tomorrow's meeting.

Bhuiyan will meet his party chairperson today to settle the issue, said a source within the BNP.

After a day's break, the dialogue began again at around 7:00pm amid a growing apprehension that it might break down with both the sides remaining rigid on their stances.

But the fear dissipated after the two leaders described the atmosphere at the dialogue as cordial.

Jalil, also coordinator of the 14-party combine, said, "We both want the next parliamentary election to be held in a free and fair manner."

On the first day of the talks Thursday, the AL general secretary placed the 31-point electoral reforms before Bhuiyan. He also asked his opponent to resolve first the issue of Justice Hasan before moving to the other issues.

Meanwhile, the AL Presidium at an emergency meeting last night observed that the Bhuiyan-Jalil dialogue has been dragging on due to the prime minister's 'non-cooperation and insincerity'.

Immediately after the talks, Jalil rushed to the residence of AL President Sheikh Hasina. There he briefed her and the party's senior leaders about the developments.

Shortly before resumption of the negotiations, Bhuiyan met Prime Minister Khaleda Zia at her office and discussed the opposition's posture on Justice Hasan and the other issues, sources said.

Among others, Law Minister Moudud Ahmed and BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Tarique Rahman were present at the meeting that lasted for about an hour.

Earlier on Saturday, the AL Central Working Committee and the 14-party alliance decided that they would not take up any other issues if the ruling side does not deal with their objection to Hasan being the chief adviser.

According to them, reconstitution of the Election Commission should be the next issue to address.

Leader of the Opposition Sheikh Hasina yesterday at a meeting with leaders of AL front organisations in the city said they will not budge on the reform proposals.

A huge number of leaders and workers from both BNP and AL gathered in front of the Sangsad Bhaban while the dialogue was in progress inside. They chanted slogans for their parties.

Besides, Sujon, an NGO working to promote good governance, yesterday formed a human chain seeking to signify the public expectation for a positive outcome of the parley between the two opposing parties.