The much-talked-about meeting is going to be held after over four years and it is anticipated that the committee will discuss the issue of Jatiya Party chief Ershad's joining the coalition as well, sources said.

There is also a possibility of filling up three posts of the standing committee, which have been vacant for several years. According to the BNP constitution, the standing committee must have 15 members, added the sources.

Prime Minister Khaleda Zia will preside over the meeting that is scheduled to begin at noon in the Prime Minister's Office.

The meeting will also work out agenda for the meeting of the national executive committee scheduled for Saturday.

BNP may take disciplinary actions against Oli Ahmad for criticising the government, some BNP high-ups including a few ministers and lawmakers for corruption, involvement with militancy and absence of democratic practices inside the party.

Sources said the standing committee might also discuss taking disciplinary action against some other leaders for violating the party discipline.

LGRD and Cooperatives Minister and BNP Secretary General Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan told reporters Sunday night that the committee would examine Oli Ahmad's speeches published in the newspapers during the meeting.

Meanwhile, Oli Ahmad has been out of the country since August 9 and is expected to return on August 28.

The last meeting of standing committee was held on June 22, 2002 and Prime Minister's son Tarique Rahman was appointed as party's senior joint secretary general by the committee that day.

The standing committee had no role in party activities after the 2002 meeting.