Bangladesh: hard to accept Tata deal

DHAKA: Bangladesh Industries Minister Motiur Rahman Nizami said on Sunday that a coming election made it difficult to accept a $3 billion investment proposal by Indian conglomerate Tata, even though the deal was good for the country.

"All of us in the government and myself feel strongly that it is good for Bangladesh, but it is also difficult to take any decision before the coming election," said Nizami after a meeting with a Tata delegation.

Bangladesh's next parliamentary election is due in January 2007, and analysts say the run-up to the vote could be volatile. The main opposition party Awami League may also boycott the polls, which could plunge the country into chaos.