Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina and Jatiya Party Chairman Hussain Muhammad Ershad had an exclusive meeting at the Prime Minister's office on Sunday noon.

In the backdrop of recent High Court verdict on the cancellation of the Seventh Amendment of the Constitution through which the military dictatorship was legalised, the former military ruler HM Ershad had a parley with Sheikh Hasina.

Sources in the Awami League and the Jatiya Party said, a half-hour-long discussion was held between two leaders of the AL-led grand alliance. The meeting started at 11.30am but its details couldn't be known immediately as both sides sources expressed their ignorance about the subject of discussion.

Talking to the New Nation, Abul Kalam Azad, Press Secretary to the prime minister admitted that the meeting was held but he did not disclose anything about the topics discussed.

Meanwhile, about the outcome of the meeting, HM Ershad said they discussed about the present political situation in the country.

Ershad, who went on two-day tour of Rangpur after the meet, did not say anything on the details.

Earlier, JP chairperson's press secretary Sunil Shubha Roy also confirmed the meeting of Ershad with Sheikh Hasina saying, "The meeting began at 12 noon and lasted 35 minutes."

According to top-ranking JP leaders, former military ruler Ershad was very anxious over the outcome of the HC verdict in recent days. Besides, he has been facing some other cases.

It is believed that Ershad wanted to understand the mind of the Prime Minister about the line of action the Government might take in pursuance of the HC verdict that set aside the Seventh amendment of the Constitution and declared the Martial Law of Ershad illegal.

The HC also in its verdict made HM Ershad liable for punishment for taking over power on March 24, 1982 but left it for the government to decide what action should be taken against him.

The appointment given by the premier to Ershad, political analysts believe, is indicative of possible soft stance of the government might take in this respect because of the unity otherwise alliance might be threatened.

Meanwhile, the statement made by Law Minister Barrister Shafique Ahmed that the decision about the punishment of HM Ershad would be taken by the Jatiya Sangsad (Parliament) is an indication that the Government does not want to go into direct confrontation with an important ally like the Jatiya Party at this moment when it is at odds with the main Opposition BNP and the four-party alliance led by it.

Eight like-minded parties on the other day had a joint Iftar Mahfil from where the BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia gave the call for a united movement after Eid-ul-Fitr.

For the Government it is urgent not only to maintain unity of the grand alliance but also to keep alliance partners active against a possible united movement from different opposition political parties.

The Prime Minister herself has recently said BNP is trying to foil a government initiative to try war criminals and hatching conspiracy to oust the AL-led grand alliance Government.

Ershad's meeting has cast a ray of hope among the leaders and activists of Jatiya Party as they are frustrated over the HC decision.