Small political parties and alliances, having splinter groups in Parliament, have initiated parleys to narrow differences between the government and the opposition on the proposed amendment to the Constitution.

Reliable sources say., they want the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party to soften its stand against floor crossing by MPs. and to reduce the proportion of non-MPs in the cabinet proposed by it in the 12 th amendment bill.

BNP has introduced two bills (11th and 12th) and AL

one bill, for constitutional amendment for switching over to parliamentary system and enabling the Atting President go back to the Supreme Court Bench

Besides differences on floor crossing and Inclusion of non MPs tn the cabinet. BNP and AL also differ on the mode of election of President, the requirement or not of a referen dum to further amend the Constitution

Leaders of the 5-party alliance separately called on Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia and Leader of the Opposition Sheikh Has Ina on Saturday, and put forward their suggestions to narrow the differences between the two major parties in Parliament

During their meeting with the Prime Minister alliance leaders differed on the rigid provision to check floor crossing proposed in the BNP un.

They expressed their soli darity with the essence of the bill but differed^n the provision. which barred a Member of Parliament from contesting electton for next five years.

Among the five-party leaders Rashed Khan Menon. Kazi Aref Ahmed. Haaanul Haque Inu. Khalequzxaman. Subh-rangshu Chakraborty. A F M Mahububul Haque. Motnuddin Ahmed Khan Badal. Nazrul

Islam. Nayeem Jahangir. Halder Akbar Khan Rono and Nirmol Sen were present

The Workers Party MP Rashed Khan Menon was in favour of allowing up to onetenth of ministers from non MPs. instead of one-fifth pro posed in the 12th amendment bill by the BNP.

They also opposed the proposition of vesting the au thortty of election of the President from the Election Commission to the Speaker.

The five-party leader also said the Introduction of the bills In Parliament was the result of the struggle against autocracy for the last nine years.

They suggested incorpora tion of certain provisions in the proposed amendment bills including necessary provisions for restraining conspiracy to grab state power by trampling down the Constitution.

They also suggested certain amendments regarding Judt-ciary

The Constitution eleventh and twelfth amendment bills Introduced by the government are expected to be referred to a 15-member select commit tee (or special committee) today (Sunday) for scrutiny. The AL bill and four other bills introduced by Rashed Khan Menon will be taken up on the next private members' day on Thursday.