The SDLP has said it will not rule out pre-election pacts with Sinn Fein at the next UK general election.
In the wake of the SDLP's selection of the Stormont Agriculture Minister, Ms Brid Rodgers, to run in the West Tyrone constituency, the Sinn Fein party chairman said he had previously written to the SDLP asking for a meeting about a possible electoral pact.
Mr Mitchel McLaughlin said he believed nationalists could win as many as 11 Westminster seats if they co-operated.
On Monday the SDLP chairman, Mr Alex Attwood, rejected the suggestion of a pact, saying the party had indicated it was not interested in pacts with pro-agreement unionists or republicans.
He said last night that having received the letter yesterday the party would consider its position, but at the moment it still intended to run for all 18 seats.
Meanwhile, the dissident Ulster Unionist candidate in North Down has reacted angrily to his suspension from the party. Mr Peter Weir, who was chosen as candidate last year, said the decision, made last Friday by a party disciplinary committee, was "simply a naked attempt to deselect me by the back door". Mr Weir's position as candidate was thrown into uncertainty by the decision.